Sarasota/Siesta Key Observer 9.21.23

VOLUME 19, NO. 43

YOUR TOWN

Ethics complaint, trial center on One

Perfect prints

Nine-year-old Roland Graf was eagerly awaiting his father Jon Graf’s birthday on Sept. 29, but he needed to do more to prepare than a simple shopping trip.

Instead, an important step was to craft an object during an open session of the Creation Station at Selby Public Library on Sept. 19.

Using the station’s 3D printer, Jon Graf created a small box with two open sides. He said once he attaches a pad phone charger to the top and a watch charger to the inside, Jon will be able to use the box to charge both devices at the same time by placing them in their respective locations.

Assistant Library Manager

Heather Tweed said those ages 5 and up, from kids to seniors, can enjoy the station, which holds open sessions each Tuesday, as well as sewing and other labs for kids and adults.

Shore crew

Recent visitors to Longboat

Key beaches may have spotted an unusual sight — a manatee mating herd close to shore.

From Sept. 12-17, Mote Marine Laboratory tracked a herd of manatees that ranged from 12 to 26 individuals throughout the week. Of those, just one was a female.

Females usually move closer to shore to put themselves in shallower waters, making it more difficult for the males to mate with them, according to Jennifer Johnson with Mote’s Manatee Research Program. This could mean the female manatee needed rest or was not yet receptive to mating.

Mote is working to track the herd using photo identification, taking pictures and identifying them by their scars or other unique markings. Through tracking, the team can create life histories of each individual.

Johnson said it’s OK for people to observe the herd from a distance, but it’s important to give the manatees their space.

GOING UP

WEEK OF SEPT. 21, 2023

BY THE NUMBERS

County approves funds for trail widening

tion of a six-foot-wide, hard surface trail with a four-foot grass median and a two-foot grass shoulder.

Sheriff’s Office employee faces fraud charges

A former Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office employee has been arrested following an investigation into workers’ compensation fraud.

Neil Wilson was placed on administrative leave on Sept. 6 following an investigation by the Florida Department of Financial Services into a suspected fraudulent workers’ compensation claim. The claim, which spanned 13 months, resulted in a loss of $30,522.03 in amount paid to date, with the total amount incurred of $64,033.26.

Following the outcome of the investigation, the Department of Financial Services presented its case to the state attorney’s office.

The State filed one count of workers’ compensation fraud of $20,000 or more, but less than $100,000, a second-degree felony, and requested. Prior to his arrest, Wilson was employed with the Sheriff’s Office from January 1998 to September 2023, where he was assigned to the agency’s patrol bureau.

Artist applications sought for city roster

Applications are now being accepted for the city of Sarasota’s inaugural public art roster, which will prequalify artists for consideration for public art-funded initiatives during 202426. Artists can apply at SarasotaFl. Gov/CallForArtists.

The roster will serve as the primary tool to launch new strategies and goals for citywide public art projects.

sent agenda acceptance of a $400,000 grant from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Recreational Trails Program to help fund a bifurcated trail from South Beneva Road to South Shade Avenue. The grant funds will go toward site preparation and construc-

The grant will be matched by $497,000 in local funding, including $200,000 from the Friends of The Legacy Trail and $40,000 from the Sarasota Manatee Bicycling Club. In total, the county has received more than $320,000 in donations, which will be combined with $177,000 in north county impact fees.

Several sections of Legacy Trail were designed and built to

accommodate a parallel trail adjacent to separate cyclists from pedestrians, reduce user conflict and improve the overall user experience.

The first section of the Legacy Trail opened in 2008 with more than 10 miles of paved trail from Venice Train Depot to Culverhouse Nature Park.

In November, Sarasota County voters approved a bond referendum to acquire and extend the Legacy Trail north nearly eight miles along the existing railroad corridor into downtown Sarasota.

“The public art program is positioned for growth and advancement due to the City Commission’s recent adoption of the Public Art Plan,” said Public Art Manager Mary Davis Wallace. “The artist roster will streamline the process by prequalifying local, regional and international artists for a variety of exciting projects over the next few years.”

The roster is open to individual artists, artist teams and artist collectives. Applications will be accepted through Monday, Sept. 25, 2023. Questions should be directed to PublicArt@SarasotaFl.gov.

LIVING LIVING LIVING LIVING LIVING LIVING LIVING LIVING LIVING LIVING LIVING LIVING LIVING LIVING LIVING LIVING LIVING LIVING LIVING LIVING LIVING LIVING LIVING LIVING LIVING LIVING LIVING LIVING LIVING LIVING LIVING LIVING LIVING LIVING LIVING LIVING LIVING LIVING LIVING LIVING

ROOM ROOM ROOM ROOM ROOM ROOM ROOM ROOM ROOM ROOM ROOM ROOM ROOM ROOM ROOM ROOM ROOM ROOM ROOM ROOM ROOM ROOM ROOM ROOM ROOM ROOM ROOM ROOM ROOM ROOM ROOM ROOM ROOM ROOM ROOM ROOM ROOM ROOM ROOM ROOM ROOM ROOM ROOM ROOM ROOM ROOM ROOM ROOM ROOM ROOM ROOM ROOM ROOM ROOM ROOM ROOM ROOM ROOM ROOM ROOM ROOM ROOM SALE

“You coming in here without you and I having a discussion and giving me a conclusion is not good.”

File photo Sarasota County has approved funding to widen a one-and-a-half-mile stretch of Legacy Trail with a bifurcated

LISA WALSH | 1954 - 2023

‘A role model for us all’

Lisa Walsh was a pillar in the Sarasota-Manatee community; a trusted and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister and daughter; and the backbone of one of the most successful media companies in Florida.

KAT WINGERT & MARK GORDON OBSERVER MEDIA GROUP

From the day she started editing the Longboat Observer  to the day she handed over editing duties of the four newspapers she built with her husband, there was never a frantic rush, never a shout, never a tense flurry of activity to meet deadlines.

No matter how late the papers to the printers or how big the story, Lisa Walsh was never anything but poised.

It had nothing to do with how much she cared about the papers — and make no mistake, she cared down to the comma — running around barking orders or breathing down reporters’ necks to get copy just wasn’t her nature.

But that doesn’t mean she wasn’t effective. As she leaned over your desk and said, “We’re going to need that story now,” writers got the message. Despite her petite 5-foot4 frame, perfectly styled hair and manicured nails, she was tough. And everyone knew it.

Of course, everyone knew this by the way she faced challenges — head on. She sought solutions instead of indulging in problems. She let logic prevail over emotion. And in her understated way, whether it was navigating three deadlines a week, sorting out a crisis at a nonprofit or even battling a rare form of Parkinson’s disease for seven years, she led with patience, grace and dignity.

It was that way until the end. She died at 12:25 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 14, from complications from her Parkinson’s. She was 69.  Walsh died at Sarasota Memorial Hospital. When her health began deteriorating rapidly Tuesday, Sept. 12, doctors gave her four to six hours to live. She kept going for 27 more.

“My mother, tiny though she was, was incredibly strong and determined and never gave up,” said Emily Walsh, her eldest daughter. Walsh was surrounded when she died by her husband, Matt, and three adult children, Emily, Kate and Brian. Emily is president of the Observer Media Group and lives in Sarasota with her husband, Pat Robinson, and son Rhys, 13, and stepson, Colin, 13; Kate lives in Colorado Springs and is a co-owner and artistic director of a 500-student ballet school; and Brian lives in Hampstead, North Carolina, where he is a major in the Marines and married to Maria Amodio Walsh; they have two children, Maeve, 6, and Jackson, 3.

Walsh is also survived by her father, David Beliles, who lives in Sarasota, and her brother, David Beliles Jr., who lives in Lincoln, Nebraska.

‘BRILLIANT AND BEAUTIFUL’

On Longboat Key and in Sarasota and east Manatee County, the Walshes are most known publicly for the Observer Media Group, which publishes multiple weekly print publications, seasonal and quarterly magazines and daily news websites.

But Lisa Walsh, based on accounts from her family and friends in Sarasota and beyond, was much more than a newspaper editor.

She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother, quick with advice and counsel and also quick to host and prepare a feast-worthy Christmas dinner. She was a behind-thescenes executive, idea-generating machine and tight-knit business partner with Matt — they were married 47 years — as they and the Observer Media Group navigated the rapidly changing media industry for nearly three decades.

Walsh was an intensely loyal philanthropist who gave time and treasure to a host of causes; and a go-to friend for many who loved to

giggle with her partners-in-crime while also providing a trusted and empathic shoulder — in addition to recipes, suggestions for books and what TV shows to watch. On that last point, one of her more recent TV recommendations was “Bosch,” an Amazon Prime show based on the Michael Connelly novels.

“She was brilliant and beautiful,” said Brian Lipton, director of the West Coast Florida chapter of the American Jewish Committee, one of the organizations Walsh supported.

“She was a kind lady and a class act.”

Three things about Walsh stand out to Lipton: One, she always, without fail, would ask how his husband, Joseph, was doing. Two, unlike some others in the Sarasota event scene, she was a low-maintenance patron, where the cause was more important than the seat she was given.

And three, she loved newspapers.

“When we were honoring her and Matt for an event I asked her what colors she wanted the theme to be,” Lipton recalls, of the AJC Civic Achievement Award Lisa and Matt received in 2010. “She said ‘I’m a newspaper girl: black and white and red all over.’ I was like, that’s fabulous.”

EARLY ADVENTURES

Walsh was also a woman who believed in taking the high road, in keeping standards high and always making sure your shoes work with your bag.

For those who worked with her, whether it was in the Observer newsroom or a nonprofit board room, she had a knack for steering conversations and decisions with a rational perspective that was focused on what was best for the organization. She was usually the last to speak, and her comments would ring with clarity and weight.

“Lisa was one of those ‘special people,’” said retired Observer Media Group advertising executive Bob Lewis. “She and I shared an office in the early days on Longboat. It didn’t take long to learn that she believed in what she and Matt were about to achieve. She will always hold a special place in my heart, and I will miss her dearly.”

Another longtime Observer Media Group contributor, Molly Schechter, met Lisa Walsh in 1998, when they were neighbors on Longboat Key. They hit it off, and Schechter, a fitness guru with decades of experience in advertising and media, soon started writing a fitness column, Aerobic Grandma, for the Longboat Observer Schechter became a trusted Walsh family confidant, including attending Christmas dinners. “Nobody left without a full tummy,” she recalls.

Like many in Walsh’s orbit, Schechter marveled at how good her friend was at taking a story, from a brief to long-form journalism, and

making it better. “She probably read and edited millions of words,” Schechter said. “Nothing went to the printer that she didn’t look at.”

FINDING FLORIDA

A third-generation newspaper woman, Walsh went to the University of Missouri School of Journalism with the intent of following her father and mother’s footsteps. He was an editor and publisher of newspapers in the Midwest, and her mother, Ruth, was the society editor at one time at the newspaper in Champaign, Illinois.

But when Walsh and her future husband wound up in the same newspaper classes in J-school, she switched to advertising.

That switch came in handy when the Walshes reached the Topeka Capital-Journal in Kansas and learned spouses couldn’t work in the same department.

Lisa sold advertising, while Matt started out as a reporter.

At the time, she was selling against a lot of radio as her competition, but she had a unique tactic. She would give her potential client a paper to look through and then 30 seconds later, she would snatch it from their hands.

To their shocked faces, she would tell them: “That’s what you’re doing to your potential buyers with a radio ad.”

In her first year on the job, Walsh became one of the newspaper’s top salespeople.

As the young couple worked their way up in the company, the Walshes, at age 25, found themselves transferred to South Dakota, where Matt

IN MEMORY

A Celebration of Life reception for Lisa Walsh will start at 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 10, at the Harbourside Ballroom of the Longboat Key Club and Resort, 3000 Harbourside Drive. A memorial Mass will be said at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 11, at All Angels Episcopal Church, 563 Bay Isles Road, Longboat Key. Contributions can be made in lieu of flowers to the Neuro Challenge Foundation for Parkinson’s, NeuroChallenge.org; or Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center, SPARRC.net.

became managing editor of the Brookings Daily Register.

After one particularly grueling storm, the snow drifts were so high a colleague came to collect Matt from the second-story window of their house and whisked him away on a snowmobile to work.

That was the end of South Dakota.

In no uncertain terms, Lisa told Matt they were done with this stop in their journey. The next one would have to be somewhere with better weather.

They went to Lisa’s birthplace, Independence, Missouri. Matt was editor of the Independence Examiner, while Lisa continued selling advertising for a sister paper. That is also when their first child, Emily, was born.

The two wanted more — the taste

and adventure of a big-city newspaper. Matt went to the Miami Herald, while Lisa stayed home with Emily, and soon after, their second child, Kate.

COPY THAT

After six years of Miami, at the height of South Florida’s cocainecowboy crime, in 1986 they moved to St. Petersburg, where Matt became an editor at Florida Trend and later the Southeast bureau manager for Forbes.

Writing about business triggered an entrepreneurial nerve, so in 1995 the Walshes, along with Lisa’s parents, David and Ruth Beliles, and a small group of investors purchased the Longboat Observer

When the Observer’s bookkeeper quit, Matt begged Lisa to take on that job — in addition to her duties raising three children.

As the Walshes grew the business, Lisa went from bookkeeper eventually to executive editor overseeing all content of four community weeklies — the Longboat Observer, East County Observer, Sarasota Observer  and  Siesta Key Observer  — and Season magazine.

Despite her title of vice president and executive editor, Lisa was happy to let others have the spotlight. In the business, she let Matt do most of the talking at companywide presentations, but the two shared all big decisions.

Every business expansion or sale, every hire or fire was discussed around the dinner table — with Lisa providing the level-headed counter balance to Matt’s passion and eagerness to grow.

From the height of the toilets in the ladies room to the fonts of the redesigned print editions to the company’s taglines — many of which she dreamed up in her witty style — decisions were subject to the Lisa taste test.

Humor was a primary tool for persuasion for Lisa. In response to one angry reader who wrote a searing letter to the editor complaining about the conservative nature of the Longboat Observer’s editorial page and its incorrect bridge column, Lisa retorted: “We do apologize for the error in the bridge column, and in the future, we will keep it just like our opinion page: right.”

A large part of running an Observer newsroom is training young reporters. Throughout her tenure, she tirelessly groomed class after class of recent graduates, teaching them everything from what photos are best from events to what dress is appropriate for work.

She had a saying: “We hire you for your brains and ideas.” If a staff member had an idea, he or she had the freedom to make it a reality. The guardrails were on in the editing process, but reporters and designers were free to try new things, start new projects and, especially, have fun.

When it came to content, Lisa and Matt had a joke: She was fluff, and he was stuff. While he was busy hammering headlines and news coverage, she was dreaming up ideas to involve and represent the community. And on Longboat Key, that means approaching community coverage with humor and a folksiness that many dailies shunned. She believed people didn’t just read newspapers for information — they read them to fall in love with their community.

PAYING ATTENTION

Devotion to community and her friends and family were another hallmark of Walsh’s life. On the community side, she served as president of the boards of Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center and the Longboat Key Center for the Arts and on the boards of the Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce and Ringling College Library Association. As the chair of galas for the American Jewish Committee, Neuro Challenge Foundation for Parkinson’s and Sarasota Ballet, she raised thousands of dollars for those organizations.

Those community activities paid off for Walsh as well. She made close, lasting friendships. Derek Billib, another longtime SPARCC board member, said Walsh was the most sensitive person of their group.

File photo

Matt and Lisa Walsh were honored at the AJC Civic Achievement Award Dinner in November 2010.

Courtesy photo Lisa Walsh on assignment as a construction worker for a day during her 1974 summer internship at the York News Times (Nebraska).

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“She was so compassionate, sincere and genuine,” Billib said. “When she was talking with you, she was always listening, always paying attention.”

Elaine Dabney, who met Walsh 30 years ago when their daughters attended school together, became Lisa’s closest friend during Walsh’s struggle with Parkinson’s. Dabney remembers Walsh pre-Parkinson’s:

“As an observer of people, I would take a step back at events and watch with wonder how this elegantly petite woman would be present in a room with hundreds of people, yet she could command the room with such gentleness. People would naturally be drawn to her, often surrounding her just to be in her presence, like moths to a flame. She was a true powerhouse.”

Walsh and Merry Gnaegy became Pi Beta Phi sorority sisters and roommates in the early 1970s at the University of Missouri. Gnaegy, in fact, introduced Walsh, then Lisa Beliles, to a Mizzou journalism major and baseball player named Matt Walsh, setting the pair up on a blind date.

Even back then, echoing a theme in her life, Gnaegy said Walsh “always seemed put together. She had that

perfect complexion that didn’t require makeup. She was smart, cute and perky, even in our standard attire of overalls, saddle oxfords and red bandanas.”

Walsh became president of the Pi Phi house in her junior year. In recent years, after Walsh became a primary financial contributor to rebuild the sorority house, the sorority named the president’s suite after her, with her name in a plaque on the wall next to the door.

Last fall, on a trip through Columbia, Missouri, Lisa and Matt stopped at the sorority house. She wanted to see the plaque for the first time in person. It was on the second floor of the house — a house with no elevator.

Unable to walk because of her Parkinson’s, with Matt holding her up from behind and bystanders watching in amazement, Lisa held on to the stair railings and pulled herself up two flights of stairs and shimmied down two flights of stairs.

“I learned early on in our marriage,” Matt said, “despite her diminutive size and elegant demeanor, it was never a good idea to tell her she couldn’t do something. She had amazing inner strength and determination; always poised, never a raised voice, never complain; she would do what needed to be done, never giving up. It was that way to her last breath. A role model for us all.”

Aterm Lisa Walsh created at the Observer Media Group is “us-y.” It meant: When editors, ad executives and department heads were hiring someone, was he or she “one of us?” Did he or she fit with OMG’s core values? Doing the right things for the right reasons. Finding a way to yes. And more.  Walsh helped usher, work with and mentor a small army of “us-y” employees, some of whom remain with the company, others who have moved on to different jobs and industries. A sampling of their memories is below:

MIKE ENG

East County Observer managing editor, 2003 to 2012; currently editor and publisher, West Orange Times & Observer, Southwest Orange Observer

When I was a college student at the University of Missouri School of Journalism, there was one particular professor whose mere mention caused every aspiring reporter to quake. Even years before you’d ever have an encounter with her, you knew her name. Her presence loomed like the end boss of a video game.

And indeed, she was tough — her red-ink comments on your copy felt like daggers, and it seemed like students’ tails were perpetually between their legs.

But here’s the problem: There was no resolution, no full-circle, “Atta boy,” at the end. We all just received our degrees, turned our tassels and left.

I didn’t have the privilege of working directly with Lisa Walsh until about a decade into my career at Observer Media Group. But even so, her unique and distinct fingerprints were all over our startup East County Observer newspaper. Our version of hyperlocal news (no news is too small), our color palette; our design — it was all Lisa.

In about 2011, my cheese moved, and I was brought into the downtown Sarasota office to work more closely with the other OMG editors and directly with Lisa. Naturally,

I came in thinking I already knew everything. Oops. Forget daggers. There were some days I felt like samurai swords had pierced my very soul. I started questioning everything I thought I knew about news, newspapers, photography, editing, deadlines, headlines. At times, I even wondered if I really wasn’t cut out for journalism after all. And then came the conversation that changed my and my family’s lives forever.

We want to open a new paper in Plant City. And we want you to go and do it.

It all clicked. I was being put through a gauntlet of sorts — not as some cruel joke but rather to prepare me for every possible challenge that could lie ahead. It wasn’t that Lisa didn’t believe in me. It was that

she did.

Atta boy, indeed. Since that year — now more than a decade ago — I’ve been able to take on every role and challenge sent my way with the confidence and knowledge that Lisa thought I was good enough to handle it.

Even though Lisa was not directly involved with the Plant City newspaper or our newspapers in the Orlando area (where I now work), she has been and will continue to be on every page of every edition we publish.

Most important, she’s in our daily interactions with one another and with our readers — in how we treat other people. She defined our corporate culture — aka The Observer Way. It probably should just be called The Lisa Way.

I’m forever grateful that I landed at this company, with Lisa and

Matt, when I came out of college. I doubt I’d still be in the news business if I had gone anywhere else. They always taught us to do things the right way and for the right rea-

sons. And now, we have the obligation and privilege of teaching those same lessons to the generations of OMGers to come.

JESSICA LUCK

Former deputy executive editor at Observer Media Group; Observer Media Group employee from 20062015; currently editor and director of media relations for Bridgewater College

Lisa Walsh and her family built more than just a media organization – they built a home.

Lisa was not only our editor and boss but the surrogate mother of the gaggle of young reporters who worked at Observer newspapers fresh out of college. She taught us not only how to be good reporters (and the importance of a wellplaced comma); she taught us how to be good citizens of the world by leading by example.

As with any family, Lisa gave us enough of a safety net that we could be bold and try new things without worrying about the fear of failing. And some of those misses — which would make her howl with laughter as tears streamed down her face — have become the stories of legend.

Lisa was sharp, and you learned quickly that you couldn’t get away with anything. What she was looking for was not perfection, but a willingness to keep trying and to learn from our mistakes.

Whenever you read your story after Lisa’s edits, you always had the same thought: “Wow, she made that better.” She knew the subtle art of editing and how to find just the right word to express what you meant while allowing you to retain your voice as a writer.

She allowed us to be individuals as we found our footing in the newsroom and in the larger world around us. That gift was not lost on us, then or now.

Under her tutelage, she encouraged us to pursue our passions, whether it was writing about the vibrant arts scene in the Sarasota

File photos

Observer Media Group opened the Plant City Observer in 2012.

Jessica Luck

area, starting a new health publication or learning how to lead and manage our own staffs of young reporters.

Some of us have gone on to pursue our passions elsewhere, some in the media industry and some not. And others have stayed at The Observer Media Group for their entire careers — a testament to Lisa, Matt and Emily’s people-focused approach to their business.

But no matter where we’ve landed, Lisa undoubtedly has played a role in our getting there.

Some of the lessons I learned from Lisa: how to be kind but fair; how to push people to get the very best from them and help them realize potential they didn’t know they had; and how not only to build a community but be an integral part of one.

Lisa Walsh has been the North Star of so many people’s lives, and one comfort we all have is that her guidance and wisdom will continue to shine just as brilliantly as we continue to move through the world and leave our own marks — with a red pen, of course!

MARTY FUGATE

Sarasota Observer, Longboat Observer arts and entertainment contributor

If you write for publication, your first reader is your editor. If you’re an editor, your first reader was your publisher. In my stint as the Observer’s A&E editor in the 2000s, Lisa Walsh had the final review. She was always very encouraging. She appreciated my obscure references and my brainy sense of humor. Lisa got my jokes and not everybody did. But she also gave me serious advice. At the time, I was known for abstract think pieces revolving around big ideas. That was my wheelhouse, and I was good at it — and still am. Lisa never squashed that side of my writing. But she encouraged me to stretch my creative muscles on human-interest stories. I wasn’t particularly good at

that. It was sort of asking a runner to try weight lifting. Thanks to Lisa, I pushed myself outside my comfort zone. As a result, I expanded my abilities as a writer — and made human-interest stories part of my wheelhouse, too. Lisa made me better at what I do — and she also made my job a lot of fun. I will miss her.

ROBIN HARTILL

Managing editor Longboat and Sarasota Observer, 2006-2016; currently self-employed financial writer and editor

I got hired as a reporter for the Sarasota Observer while Lisa was out of town. It was my first job out of college. I got lucky that Lisa wasn’t in town because I’m pretty sure if she’d interviewed me, I wouldn’t have gotten the job.

The first time I met Lisa, she asked me the standard questions, like where I went to school and how the job was going. I said, “What do you do here?” not knowing I was talking to the owner of the paper.

Lisa should have fired me a thousand times over in my first year. She had really high standards as an editor.

Meanwhile, I constantly mis-

spelled names, blew deadlines and used passive voice. I learned so much from Lisa because she was a super eagle-eyed editor. She would edit stories once they were laid out on the page and make her edits with a pen.  I was always proud when I would get my story back with no edits, because there were plenty of times I’d see the page covered in red ink from Lisa’s pen.  Because Lisa had such high standards, it was always the best feeling to get kudos from her. She truly made me a better writer and editor. To this day, I shudder and think: “What would Lisa Walsh say?” whenever I see a dangling modifier. I thought Lisa was intimidating at first, kind of like Miranda Priestly from “The Devil Wears Prada.” She always wore a perfectly pressed A-line skirt and blazer. Her hair and makeup were always flawless.

It took awhile for me to see that Lisa was a super warm and funny person. She had a big, booming laugh that would echo through the office. I would always laugh just hearing her laugh, even if I had no idea what she was laughing about. A lot of reporters liked to gather after work to share a pitcher or two

of cheap beer at the Anna Maria Island Moose Lodge. One time, we got Lisa to join us. I think it was the only time we ever saw anyone order white wine at the Moose.

She loved her Diet Coke and kept a Diet Coke pillow on her desk chair. You could always count on hearing the sound of Lisa cracking open her Diet Coke on deadline.

Maybe those Diet Cokes gave Lisa the energy for all the things she did. In addition to running multiple newspapers, she served on countless boards and committees and attended practically every event to show her support for community organizations.

Yet, even with all her business and community obligations, Lisa never missed anything that her three kids were involved with. Her family always came first no matter what.

JILL RALEIGH Observer Media Group advertising director

When I joined the Observer in 2000, there were only about 15 employees. I remember being warmly welcomed by Matt and Lisa and immediately felt like I was

part of a family. A first for me in business. They always told us they named their chickens (us). That’s easier to do when we were small and mighty, but as we grew, they continued to name their chickens. I don’t know anyone who worked with Lisa who didn’t feel her love for them.  Everyone became part of the family.

I was always struck by Lisa’s style and grace. She set the bar high with her sense of fashion, always dressed to the nines, often wearing pearls. She inspired me to step up my game.

Matt and Lisa were incredible partners in life and business. And inspiring. Their passion for producing local news, their commitment to excellence and their mantra of “do the right thing for the right reasons” was affirmed daily.

Lisa had an advertising degree and the advertising department leaned on her often — calling in help for creative headlines or copy for an advertiser. We could always count on her to come through with something sharp and clever.

As serious as they were about business, no one could tear up a dance floor like Lisa and Matt. Every party found them boogying

Lisa Walsh (center) with Jill Raleigh (back center)

Matt Walsh, Lisa Walsh, Kurt Schultheis, Robin Hartill and Kat Wingert in February 2016

down to all the best tunes, livening up the dance floor.

Lisa’s biggest impact on me was witnessing her generous and giving heart. She encouraged us to get involved in the community and support nonprofits through volunteer work, donations or serving on committees or boards. I’m especially grateful to her for the connections with the Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center, an organization she knew was near to my heart.

Because of her, I was able to serve as a board member of SPARCC for nine years — five of those with Lisa.

The example she set in business and in life was life-changing. The example she set during her health challenges the past few years was incredible to see. Always smiling, always the best dressed in the room, always showing her love for everyone around her.

KURT SCHULTHEIS

Observer Media Group, 2006 to 2016

I stepped into Lisa Walsh’s Longboat Observer office in 2006 as a young daily newspaper reporter who knew nothing about the deadlines and nuances of the weekly newspaper business.

I was nervous and apprehensive of this woman standing before me, dressed to the nines in her skirt, blazer and signature pearls. She put me at ease, though, with her warm smile and filled me in on the ins and outs of Longboat Key.

The best day to work at the Longboat Observer was deadline day for the April Fool’s edition. I would sit at my desk, watch Managing Editor Jessica Luck walk the April Fool’s edition pages back to Lisa’s secondfloor office and wait for the Diet Coke to crack open.

Then came the litmus test.

Silence was a sign that a rewrite was coming, but nine times out of 10, we knew we hit the mark when we could hear Lisa laughing down the hall at our made-up fun.

Whether it was in the office or at the Fish Fry with a glass of wine in her hand telling old Longboat Observer stories, Lisa’s laughter was the best.

Kurt Schultheis

One of my favorite out-ofthe-office memories is when my co-workers and I were headed to the Anna Maria Island Moose Lodge for a pitcher of beer to celebrate my upcoming destination wedding in Las Vegas. The highlight was discovering Lisa took time out of her busy schedule to come to the Moose Lodge with us.

As you can imagine, she was the best-dressed woman in the dark and dingy bar, smiling apprehensively as she glanced at an old paper menu and hesitantly asked the waitress, “Do you serve white wine?” They found her some wine. It meant the world that she would come to celebrate with us.

My last day at the Observer Media Group was a tough one.

I traveled to downtown Sarasota to say my farewells. Emily Walsh gave me a hug and told me that I had to stop at the Walshes’ house and say goodbye to Lisa.

I stopped at the house, and she gave me a big hug, thanked me for everything and told me she knew I was making a career move that was best for my family and that family always came first.

Lisa was always a mother first to both her family and her Observer family. I will never forget her laughter and kindness.

How capitalism is filling in

Neal Communities plans to build hundreds of attainable homes. But the economic reality is they must be built out in the suburbs.

household income of $72,000,” Neal told us.

SimplyDwell is constructing its first planned community in Parrish, slated to have 266 homes. The company expects sales to begin in October and open in January.

That will be one of six communities for which Neal already has acquired the land, stretching from Manatee to Collier counties.

When there is a need, and if the government restraints are not too onerous, eventually, capitalism will fill the need. Human ingenuity, creativity and innovation clicks at once. And when it does, there is a trailblazer who is the first to take the risk, while others observe from near and far, waiting for evidence to jump in or stay out.

We are witnessing this magic of capitalism in one of the most important sectors to this region’s — and Florida’s — economy: housing for the middle class.

Heretofore, Neal Communities has been one of the West Coast of Florida’s most prolific homebuilders, catering to retirees who have sold their homes in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Ohio and Michigan and Illinois.

Drawn to Florida because of its lack of personal income taxes and far more efficient governments than their home states, these retirees have been purchasing Neal homes, with prices at an average of $700,000. Last year, Neal Communities grossed $612 million in revenues.

ANOTHER TRAILBLAZER

Sarasotan Deb Kabinoff began her trailblazing in the affordable home niche eight years ago. Her GulfStar Homes focuses on 1,450-square-foot, threebedroom, twobath, two-car garage homes in North Port. Price: $354,900.

graduate who had become a leading expert in this niche for other homebuilders, Jagdesh Rupnarian.

Rupnarian designed a production system that will have four to five designs and allow no changes. The process will require SimplyDwell’s construction teams to start eight houses a month and finish in 14 weeks. “We can’t stop anywhere along the way,” Neal said.

In effect, SimplyDwell can be likened to Levittown, the first mass-produced suburban homes after World War II. “It won’t look like Levittown, but it’s the same production economics,” Neal said. “The 2023 version but with the lovely designs of Charlene Neal (Neal’s wife and president of the company’s design unit).”

“If we are to build a better world, we must remember that the guiding principle is this — a policy of freedom for the individual is the only truly progressive policy.”

Friedrich Hayek “Road to Serfdom,” 1944

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Kabinoff

The homes also include hurricane windows and a roof system that withstood Hurricane Ira — two features to help lower insurance costs.

Kabinoff has no interest in trying to become a highvolume producer of affordable homes. Toward that, she doesn’t buy large tracts of raw land. Instead, she chooses in-fill — buying lots from North Port’s high inventory of platted lots from the 1960s. Her target is 100 homes a year. “I have one goal,” she says. “To build affordable homes in North Port.”

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for the working class, the most likely solution is the same as it has been for the past 60 years: higherdensity suburban development.

Neal

And how this entrepreneurial venture turns out over the next four to six to 12 months will be crucial to whether there will be dramatic progress toward solving the lack of affordable housing for the working class — for teachers, nurses, public safety officers, clerical workers, retail associates and service workers.

One trailblazer is Manatee and Sarasota counties’ homegrown, locally owned, most successful homebuilder: Pat Neal, his Neal Communities corporation and a new offshoot SimplyDwell Homes.

SimplyDwell is building starter homes in the price range of the lowto mid-$300,000s, low enough that a buyer could have payments at or slightly below $2,000 a month. “We’re hoping to get to lower than $2,000 a month, which means a

But in November 2022, at a quarterly strategic planning meeting, Ivory Matthews, Neal Communities’ vice president of community and governmental affairs, asked the question: “What are we doing about middle-class or working-class people?”

Pat Neal’s initial response: “It’s going to be very hard.”

But what happened next is a testament to the importance of having local business owners who are concerned about the plights of their communities and not just about maximum profitability.

“As a matter of being a community builder,” Neal said, “I said we should try to see if we can do this.

“We definitely will not make the money on these homes that we do on our expensive homes,” he said. “But it’s an investment in trying to do the right thing.”

To make it work, Neal knew the company needed to innovate its building practices. To lead that, he hired a University of Florida

The big lie of ‘Bidenomics’

The Biden administration’s campaign to make us believe “Bidenomics” is working is preposterous, laughable and proof that he and the minions touting it either are completely clueless and dumb or just like their boss — delusional and intentional liars, or both.

All of this was so predictable — the inflation, the effects and the aftermath.

It was predictable in 2021 during Biden’s first year in office and when Congress was handing out more

than $7 billion in the wake of the pandemic. It was predictable that inflation would rush through the U.S. economy with the force of a typhoon. We said so then:

Sept. 30, 2021: “(Y)ou can take this to the bank: If the congressional Democrats give Biden and Pelosi what they want — $4.5 trillion of new spending and more money that they do not have (Ed. Note: Which Congress did) — America’s middle class and poor are going to suffer a long time. That’s who inflation hurts the most. The

GOD REST HER ELEGANT SOUL

Seldom on this page do I write about personal matters. But this occasion compels me to break that rule.

I’m assuming most of you will have read online earlier this week, read in this edition or already have heard of the loss of my wife, Lisa Walsh, 69.

Lisa died last Thursday from complications related to her rare form of Parkinson’s — Multiple System Atrophy. Our family, Lisa, friends and doctors knew her time would be short. And it was. Far too short.

So, we extend a reminder of Jesus’ often repeated

admonishment to his disciples: “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.”

Be prepared. Hug your loved ones — a lot. Make that hug meaningful. Tell them you love them — every day. Look them in the eye when you say it. You never know. With full hearts, my family and I thank all of you for the ovewhelming outpouring of love and condolences.

God rest Lisa’s precious, elegant soul.

— MW

The homes will start at 1,300 square feet and can go from two-bedroom, two-bath and garage up to three and three in two stories. They will be built on 6,000-square-foot lots and 3.5 units to an acre. Typical Neal homes are on 8,5000-square-foot lots and 2.5 units to an acre.

For the prices to remain low, Neal says, the cost of land “needs to be moderately priced that has sewer and water available.”

With those qualifiers, here is the unavoidable reality to solving the problem of affordable, workingclass homes: They will be built in the suburbs.

“Central Sarasota, Manatee and Lakewood Ranch will continue to be expensive,” Neal told us. “That’s not going to change.

“I’m paying $120,000 per net acre (for two units per acre), and that number has never gone down in my lifetime” — 54 years of home building.

As always, it’s a matter of supply and demand. Demand for living quarters near downtown Sarasota has far outstripped the supply of land. Thus the high prices for condos and apartments.

We said to Neal: You’re saying if there is to be affordable housing

value of the dollars those people have will continue to decline and buy less and less.”

Inflation rocketed to 9% in July 2022. Consequently, rising prices have crushed the middle class ever since and are still doing so today.

Indeed, you could have predicted an auto union strike. Every employer in the nation has felt the pressure to increase wages to help his/her employees try to keep up with the Biden-Pelosi inflation.

It’s continuous: Prices go up; wages go up. Wages go up; prices go up. There’s no end until there is a recession, which is still to come.

As we said: The middle class and poor are going to suffer a long time.

“That’s definitely, absolutely a promise,” Neal said. “The closer the homesites are to the action, by far the more expensive they are.”

Nonetheless, Neal is optimistic about SimplyDwell filling a desperate need.

“I know we will sell a lot of homes,” he said. “Mostly I want to do something good. I’ll be able to tell you in January if it’s financially successful.”

Hope that he is.

While we can applaud all the good-intention lawmaking to provide incentives for affordable housing, Pat Neal is demonstrating what economist Thomas Sowell says: “Study after study, not only here but in other countries, shows that the most affordable housing is where there has been the least government interference.”

If there is an unmet need, eventually capitalism will fill it. Government isn’t needed. We are seeing that now.

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Meantime, since March 2022, the Federal Reserve raised interest rates 11 times to try to counteract the overspending and printing of money. As a result, the rate of inflation has fallen to 3.67%, a 60% decline from its peak.

This was all according to the predictable script. And likewise, we knew Biden & Co. would take credit for bringing the inflation rate down. “Bidenomics is working,” he said.

Yeah, it’s killing us.

But predictably, Biden and his mouthpieces, including the nitwit Washington media, are trying to make you believe the economy is back on track.

Inflation is falling, Biden touts, and unemployment is at 3.8%, back down to near historical lows.

“Look at all the jobs I’ve created,” he says, a standard politician lie.

The inflation rate may have fallen, but prices are still 12.67% higher than they were in 2020 and still rising at almost 4% a year!

The reason unemployment is so low is because people need to work — oftentimes two and three jobs — to be able to scrape enough money together to live.

As the presidential election gets closer, Biden will continue to try to sell you that he is an economic genius. Don’t buy it. If anything, remember that he, Pelosi, Congress and Trump drastically reduced Americans’ standard of living.

Barring a complete economic collapse the likes of 2008, we won’t see price levels like those of 2020 ever again. — MW

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Publisher of the Longboat Observer, East County Observer, Sarasota/Siesta Key Observer, West Orange Times & Observer, Southwest Orange Observer, Business Observer, Jacksonville Daily Record, Key Life Magazine, LWR Life Magazine, Baldwin Park Living Magazine and Season Magazine

CEO / Matt Walsh President / Emily Walsh

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1970 Main St. Sarasota, FL 34236 941-366-3468

MATT WALSH

Courtesy photo

Neal Communities’ SimplyDwell hopes to fill the affordable housing need with starter homes, for which payments could fall below $2,000 a month.

KAT WINGERT

Observer Media Group executive editor and chief operating officer

I first met Lisa Walsh as a student three weeks before graduating from the University of Missouri’s School of Journalism. She and an Observer designer came to interview students on campus. I saw the signs that the Longboat Observer was interviewing; I needed a job, so I signed up.

Although petite in stature, Lisa had a presence. She was put together and polished, yet personable, warm and funny. I left the interview knowing I had the job. A day later, she called me and I accepted an offer to be a community reporter for the Longboat Observer

I didn’t even know where Longboat Key was.

But I knew it sounded like a great place, with a great paper where I would actually get to write, not just fetch coffee.

After working my way up from reporter to community editor to managing editor, I left for another opportunity, as is typical for most young reporters. But four years later, I returned to the Observer, and the best newspaper family I’ve ever known.

About 10 years ago, I was chosen to be her successor. To me, I was being asked to fill the biggest size 6 shoes on Earth.

If you’ve ever had the luck of taking over for an icon, then you know that comparisons can be tricky things. They can be downright disastrous if the person who is retiring feeds them with any doubt.

More than 10 years later, I never heard a word of criticism or disappointment from Lisa. At first, I tried to involve her — I didn’t want her to feel like she was not welcome. She reassured me she was happy to have the next generation lead and make the decisions.

She had faith, and trust, and told me to go do it, and be great.

I’m sure I have and will do things she would disagree with. But I also know that I always had — and

always will have — her blessing in doing so. Because Lisa always saw and enjoyed people for who they were.

Lisa knew that mistakes are part of learning. She knew that no one’s perfect and you need to embrace people for their gifts and work on smoothing their edges.

She found charm in the slightly obnoxious reporter who irritated everyone else. She liked the quirky designer who would sometimes fly into passionate diatribes on politics or any other thing that set her off in the middle of deadline. She looked for the things people could contribute, not their flaws.

Except when it came to the dress code. That was nonnegotiable. Even near the end, when she could hardly do anything without help, she always had to have her hair styled, her makeup done and her outfit coordinated in the latest fashion.

Period.

She was a master delegator and had a knack for giving you a new project or assignment without your even realizing you had just said yes to doing more work.

She also had an indirect communication style that needed an occasional translator to understand the vision she had — and she always had a vision.

She and Matt always believed in doing things the right way, for the right reasons. For Lisa, that meant being an absolute stickler on grammar and punctuation, and her love of a hyphen for compound modifiers was legendary.

She was always there for me, not just as a boss, but as a person. When the first house I bought got burglarized and tools stolen, she had a Home Depot gift card for me the next day to help replace them.

When I cried from heartbreak, she cried with me.

When I had success, it was her success.

When I needed a reference letter for admission to my MBA program, she wrote the most heartfelt letter I bet the University of Wyoming ever got. It concluded: “In short, you would be a fool not to admit her.”

That was Lisa. (And I’ve since

stolen that line for recommendation letters I’ve written for the best and brightest.) I came and worked for her out of college, but the thing I learned most from her wasn’t about journalism or editing or running a newsroom. She taught me how a community works. And what it means to be part of a community.

At first, sometimes I thought the stories she assigned me were “stupid.” Who cares about someone’s potted plants being stolen from their porch or photos from a kids summer camp at Bayfront Recreation Center?

But then I realized: The mystery of the potted plants was a sensation with readers, who were incensed at such a theft. And those kids who attended summer camp at the rec center? I recently ran into one of

them who remembers her picture being on the front page of the Longboat Observer when she was a kid. How cool is that?

I realized this is the job: people. And our job is to care about whatever they care about. That’s who we work for: our readers.

Lisa knew people want to learn, they want to enjoy, they want to connect. That’s what we do here. And in doing so, you become part of this special community.

Whether it’s the flowers a source sends you as a thank you after writing about his shell collection or the $50 check you can’t accept that a reader sent as a Christmas present, you’re not just covering a community: You’re part of the community.

No one got that more than Lisa. And after I experienced that, I really never wanted to work anywhere

else.

In the last 10 years, I have used her as my guiding light for decisions on coverage a lot. If I’m ever in doubt if something is an Observer story, I think about whether it betters the community in some way. Whether it is going to be something that serves our readers. If I’m ever lost, I still to this day think about what Lisa would do, and what she would say:

Take the high road.

Be bold.

Be clever.

Aim high.

And don’t forget to have some fun.

Emily Walsh and Lisa Walsh in 2013 were the first mother and daughter to both be honored by Girls Inc.

One Park vs. Block 6 awaits judge decision

THE COURT CASE

Awhirlwind of activity swirled around the proposed One Park condo development in The Quay last week. A hurricanedisrupted trial concluded, the scheduled Planning Board public hearing is set to resume and a Sarasota city commissioner filed a misconduct complaint with the Florida Bar.

The 123-unit One Park has been at the center of controversy since the plan was revealed in December 2021 to build the project on blocks 1 and 9 connected above a breezeway over Quay Commons, the primary access street into and through The Quay. The development planned by Property Markets Group of Miami still faces legal and city policy hurdles regarding air rights above Quay Commons and whether blocks 1 and 9 can be developed as one building.

Opposition to the project has been primarily posed by a group of owners of the Ritz-Carlton Residences, collectively known as Block 6, on both legal and development policy grounds. The Ritz-Carlton building is the first and still only occupied condo tower in The Quay, with a second tower, Bayso, scheduled to have occupants by the end of the year.

With a ruling over the rights expected perhaps by the end of September and a suspended legislative hearing before the Planning Board set to resume this month, here is a recap of last week’s events centered on One Park.

What began on the Monday prior to Hurricane Idalia, a bench trial before Judge Hunter Carroll of the 12th Judicial Circuit Court resumed last Tuesday with attorneys questioning witnesses and posing closing arguments for two days over ownership of the air rights above Quay Commons.

Much of the debate focused on the definition of “developed,” and whether that definition even matters in this case, citing the precedent of Bayso as an example of what One Park is proposing.

Attorneys for Block 6 argued that Quay Commons is developed, although not necessarily complete, because of frequent repairs made to the street caused by continuing construction, which is expected to continue for years. As such, according to their interpretation of the general development plan of The Quay, the private street must be conveyed to the master association — in addition to the sky above it — as common property.

Attorneys representing Property Markets Group and Quay master developer GreenPointe Developers counter that Quay Commons is not developed because of that frequent reconstruction, it may be sold by GreenPointe to the project developer and anyway the air rights above the street extend only to 14 feet in height, which is adequate — as intended — for vehicle, pedestrian and emergency vehicle access.

They also cited Bayso, which connects two blocks at the southern end of Quay Commons above a breezeway, as precedent for building in air

rights over a piece of the street that has not been conveyed to the master association. Block 6 attorneys countered that Bayso does not set precedent because the street ends at its building, providing only pedestrian access to the multiuse recreation trail that runs along the south side of The Quay property.  Carroll set a deadline of Friday, Sept. 22 for attorneys to submit their written summaries and said he would render his decision as quickly as possible. Should he rule against GreenPointe and One Park, it would, pending appeal, render moot the suspended Planning Board legislative public hearing on its request to amend the general development agreement of The Quay to combine blocks 1 and 9.

THE PUBLIC HEARING

On April 12, the resumption of the Planning Board public hearing from its March 8 meeting ended abruptly when Assistant City Attorney Michael Connelly announced

OCTOBER 19TH• 5PM

Sponsorships are also available, along with VIP Senator’s and Governor’s table arrangements.

a criminal investigation had been launched regarding a potential inappropriate contact between an investor in One Park and a Planning Board member.

The investigation was turned over to the Florida Division of Law Enforcement, which on May 9 sent a letter to Police Chief Rex Troche indicating no wrongdoing.

The next day, the FDLE reopened the case, citing “new evidence,” which focused on a charity founded by City Commissioner Erik Arroyo to which a company owned by another One Park investor, financial education provider MoneyShow, donated $10,000. That investigation paused the hearing for several more months.

With the investigation concluded and on Aug. 3 the state attorney’s office finding insufficient evidence to pursue the case, PMG pressed to be placed on the Planning Board’s agenda at its earliest opportunity. And with 64 speakers still signed up to address the board — and perhaps more emerging — that will take an

entire day.

During last week’s meeting, the Planning Board decided to resume the hearing at its regularly scheduled Oct. 11 meeting and move all scheduled matters on its agenda to its next meeting.

Although the Planning Board has replaced two members since the hearing started, it will pick up where it left off with new members Daniel Deleo and Shane Lamay instructed to view prior testimony to catch up. Even that is not without its measure of controversy.

Connelly said there remains a possibility of a 2-2 vote because Deleo will have to recuse himself as his law firm represents some potential buyers in One Park. Alternate member Doug Christy, whose wife, an attorney, also represents some buyers, would similarly be recused if pressed into service by an absence.

That pronouncement came as news to Deleo.

“I don’t believe I do have the same issue,” Deleo told Connelly of Chris-

For more information on tickets or sponsorships, contact Leslie Williams by email at lesliewilliamsrpos@gmail.com.

ANDREW WARFIELD STAFF WRITER

A trial concluded, a Planning Board hearing is set to resume and an ethics complaint was filed — all centering on the condo conflict.

Courtesy rendering

A rendering of the proposed One Park in The Quay.

ty’s conflict of interest.

“I guarantee you do, and I guarantee you it’s going to be litigation,” Connelly said. “I’m going to very strongly recommend that you not do it because if you do it, then I guarantee that we have litigation that I don’t think we can win.”

“I would ask you actually have a conversation with me before you have a conclusion,” Deleo responded.  Connelly agreed to a discussion, but in private.

“I’m happy to have that discussion,” Deleo concluded. “But you coming in here without you and I having a discussion and giving me a conclusion is not good.”

The Planning Board’s decision is advisory to the City Commission. The commission will make the final decision regarding the general development agreement amendment request.

THE COMPLAINT

On Sept. 12, as the air rights case resumed, Arroyo filed a 25-page ethics complaint with the Florida Bar against Ashley Gaillard, an attorney with Bentley Goodrich Kison, the firm that represents Block 6.  Gaillard was previously an assistant state attorney.

Arroyo alleges the “new evidence” provided to the FDLE to reopen the investigation came from Bentley Goodrich Kison. The “new evidence” was related to the charity, Sarasota City Foundation, and funds raised at a Mayor’s Ball hosted by Arroyo in October 2022. Arroyo also characterized the allegations that required the FDLE to reopen the investigation as an effort to delay due process for the project.

“Over the course of her representation, attorney Gaillard and her colleague engaged in a course of conduct against the complainant whose primary purpose was to intimidate, embarrass and harass the complainant in order to delay proceedings and pressure and influence the outcome of these civil matters, which culminated in a baseless criminal complaint submitted and lobbied for by attorney Gaillard to former colleagues and others within multiple law enforcement agencies including the Twelfth Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office, Sarasota Police Department and Florida Department

of Law Enforcement,” the complaint reads.

It continues, “After four months and an additional allegation, an additional round of investigative interviews by FDLE, the involvement of two different circuit state attorney’s offices, an executive order from Florida Gov. DeSantis transferring the case, numerous subpoenas of dozens of records, countless hours of government resources expended, and the involvement of private attorneys that were retained by numerous parties to assist in answering requests, FDLE and the State Attorney’s Office released a statement outlining that ‘After a review of the evidence available and all applicable law, it was determined that no formal charges be filed in this case.’”

Morgan Bentley, a partner with the firm and lead attorney for Block

6, responded to Arroyo’s complaint.

“This filing proves what we have been saying all along: Mayor Arroyo is so aligned with One Park that he believes that any concerns about his behavior is the same as an attack on One Park,” Bentley wrote. “First, that is a weird way to view yourself. Second, now that we all know what we have been saying is true, Mayor (Commissioner) Arroyo should do the right thing and recuse himself from any further participation in this matter.  And if he doesn’t understand why his behavior is problematic, he should consider resigning from the commission altogether.”

In February I fell and broke my left shoulder. I contacted Dr. Page who examined my shoulder, He diagnosed and made a recommendation for surgery, carefully explaining the procedure in terms my husband and I could understand. After surgery, I was in physical therapy the following week. In less than three months, I regained most of my mobility back and my shoulder continues to improve. The surgery was a complete success. The nurses and office staff were very competent and helpful. I would recommend Dr. Page without reservation.

File photo

City Commissioner Erik Arroyo

Ellen McKeefe 1944-2023

Planning Board supports airport rezoning, approves condo tower

parking lots.”

ANDREW WARFIELD STAFF WRITER

In preparation for eventual commercial development and parking expansion, Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport is seeking rezoning of multiple blocks of nondeveloped and planned redevelopment property.

The airport is located in three jurisdictions, most of it in Manatee County, comprising much of the airfield and the north half of the airside. The southern portion is in the city of Sarasota with the land in between in unincorporated Sarasota County.

Ellen McKeefe, an Emmynominated television news producer who was one of the early women behind the scenes during a long career at NBC News, died August 7, 2023 in Sarasota, Florida of cancer. She was 78.

Ellen Mary McKeefe was born in Georgetown, Washington DC on September 16, 1944 to Charlotte (Parker) and Francis McKeefe and lived most of her youth in upstate New York.

She graduated from Skidmore College with a degree in Fine Arts, minoring in Renaissance Art History, in 1966. During her years with NBC News Ellen covered events in Washington, Rome, New York, Boston, Miami, London, the Middle East and Central/South America serving variously as news producer, bureau chief

and on-scene manager at major domestic and foreign news events.

After retirement from NBC News, Ellen lived in Sarasota and continued freelance television news and sports production for NBC, ABC, CBS, PBS, Fox, ESPN, National Geographic and others.

Ellen was a gifted painter. Watercolor painting in Sarasota and Italy became a passion, along with sailing, and birding in Florida and Scotland.

Memorial contributions may be made at: https:// www.sarasotaaudubon.org/ donate/

Full obituary at: https://www. soundchoicecremation.com/ obituary/659367/EllenMcKeefe/

In the mid-1980s, the airport was classified as a development of regional impact and since then has been subject to three DRI regulations governed by regional boards in all three jurisdictions.

Now in the process of terminating the DRIs in favor of local zoning, representatives of the Sarasota-Bradenton Airport Authority appeared before the Sarasota Planning Board on Sept. 13, requesting rezoning of several parcels within the city for future commercial and parking facility development. In the process, the airport is seeking revenue-producing development while simultaneously addressing parking shortages brought on by explosive growth in passenger traffic since the pandemic.

“I can remember the day that pandemic was announced; everybody went home we had seven cars in the parking lot at the airport,” said attorney Dan Bailey, who represents the airport authority. “We weren’t sure there was going to be an airport after that. Once the pandemic lifted, our traffic went from 1.3 million (passengers per year) in 2019 to in excess of 4 million now. Honestly, we didn’t see it coming, and some of these parcels that we’d envisioned would be commercial fairly soon, we’ve had to hijack them and make him into

The Planning Board unanimously approved a recommendation to the City Commission rezoning the 88.85 acres in the city from Governmental District to Intensive Commercial District, Major Conditional Use approval for aviation and surface passenger terminal. It also approved an ordinance amendment to remove stipulations limiting restaurant and office space as hotel accessory uses only. For now, food service in the Kompose hotel is limited only to hotel patrons and not open to outside guests. The restaurant, representatives of the airport hotels told the Planning Board, is not open because it would operate at a loss under the current restriction.

Although there are no firm development plans at this time, conceptually the airport would lease land along University Parkway for commercial development that would include food service and retail uses. Also, the airport plans to demolish the current rental car service and storage areas south of the terminal to build a new maintenance, cleaning and storage facility that all car rental companies will use.

In the interim, parking lots will be built to provide enough spaces to accommodate parking needs while a parking deck is eventually built over the current short-term parking lot.

The airport has no taxing authority, SRQ President and CEO Rick Piccolo told the Planning Board, so all of its expenses must be met by operating revenue.

“We’re the fastest growing airport in the world right now,” said SRQ President and CEO Rick Piccolo.

“We’re up 300% over pre-pandemic numbers. In the future we want to develop hotels, restaurants and office space. By having the ability to show possible tenants this is what’s permitted under these codes, that allows us to go out there and seek

tenants that will bring economic development in the future.”

THE OWEN APPROVED

The Planning Board approved via a 4-1 vote The Owen, a nine-story, 29-unit luxury condominium tower on a 1.08-acre vacant, semicircular site at the southern end of the Golden Gate Point.

Residential structures that previously occupied the site have been demolished. The Ronto Group is the developer of the project.

The condos will be built atop two levels of parking. The maximum height permitted in the RMF-5 zone is 90 feet, with building height on Golden Gate Point measured vertically from the first habitable floor or 15 feet above finished grade, whichever is less.

With the first habitable floor being the third floor and the height being measured from 15 feet above finished grade, the total height measured from grade and including the architectural feature and elevator/ stair overrun is 114 feet.

An amazing woman, who preferred anonymity more than anything else, Pauline Schweinfurth Becker, born to German immigrants Charles L. and Pauline “Mary” Schweinfurth, passed away peacefully in her Sarasota home surrounded by friends and loving caregivers on Sunday, September 10, 2023 at the age of 102.

She was born in Newark, New Jersey on June 27, 1921. Nicknamed Line (pronounced Leanie), Pauline and her parents moved to Roseland, New Jersey in 1930. Her father became the Chief of Police for Roseland. A farm girl at heart, she was diligent and determined in whatever she did. After finishing high school, Pauline worked at the Henry Beckers

Dairy Farm (Roseland) and married the boss, Henry Eugene (Gene) Becker. The Becker’s sold the farm to Essex County in 1969 and donated their homestead and Barn to the Roseland Historical Society in 1982. Shortly thereafter, they settled full time in Sarasota. Gene, her husband of 63 years, passed away in 2003. In the early 80’s, Pauline

volunteered for the Pelican Man (now Save Our Seabirds) and subsequently for 35 years at Mote Marine Laboratory, first in the Gift Shop and then in the Library. She loved the interaction with the scientists, she would say with a glint in her eyes. Quietly and behind the scenes, insisting on anonymity, she also generously provided financial support to the fledgling laboratory, from Shark cancer research to the study of Spotted Eagle rays and scholarships for youths interested in marine science. Similarly she supported organizations such as the Boys and Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties, Florida Sheriff’s Youth Ranches, SPARCC, Easter Seals Happiness House, Lighthouse for the Blind, Kessler Foundation, Ringling College of Art and Design, Rotary Club of Sarasota Foundation, Southeast Guide Dogs, Inc and many more. She loved to support “open spaces” projects and organizations; and truly believed that Sarasota was being paved over. In that vein, she supported the Bay Park Conservancy, the Gulf Coast Conservation Foundation

and other environmental causes. She always stepped up with support when disaster assistance was needed.

She served on the Board of Trustees of both Mote Marine Laboratory and the Ringling College of Art and Design.

Pauline lived her life fully with zest, but remained modest and humble. She served on the Board of Trustees of both Mote Marine Laboratory and the Ringling College of Art and Design. She, along with her husband Gene, belonged to a Cross Country Car club and spent three decades driving with friends across the country coast to coast. She loved her green Pierce Arrow which now resides at the Library and Museum of the Antique Automobile Club of America Inc. (Hershey, Pennsylvania). Her husband’s passion for steam engines and railroad cars had her helping him in constructing and operating a small gauge railroad, Centerville and Southwestern Railway, spanning the entire area of their farm. The railroad delighted many young families in Roseland during the 40’s through early 70’s. The steam engines and locomotives now reside in the Philipsburg Railroad Historians museum, Philipsburg, New Jersey.

Pauline’s life mantra was to “talk straight and say it as it is”. She did not mince words. She had a strong independent streak, but was compassionate and empathetic towards the less fortunate. She loved her friends and cherished the conversations they had. She did not like crowds but she loved to go to lunch-

say it as it is”.

es with a few friends. She remembered everything and with a sharp wit would easily disarm anyone. She loved her birthday parties, although she didn’t want them, especially as she was nearing 100. She listened more than she talked; and when she gave advice, people listened. All her friends invariably remarked about having received wise counsel from her at some turning point in their lives and were grateful. Her closest friends, when asked to describe her, often used words such as, Honest, Fair, Straightforward, Ethical, Generous, Confident, Committed, Determined, Compassionate, Charismatic, Charming, Sharp witted, humble, wise, an eye for details, etc. Pauline was a remarkable person, and as a wife of a lifelong Rotarian, lived the Rotary’s four way test in every aspect of her life: Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build good will and better friendships? Will it be beneficial to all concerned? She loved reading the Observer every week for local news and the articles became points of discussion with her friends for the week. As one of her closest anonymous friends writing this obituary, I wondered what she would say, probably “Why are you making all this fuss?! Don’t you have anything else to do?!”

Pauline’s funeral arrangements are being handled

by Robert Toale and Sons Funeral Home at Palms Memorial Park in Sarasota. Her cremated ashes will be interred next to her beloved husband, Gene, at Fairmount Cemetery in Newark, New Jersey and service is private as per her wish. In lieu of flowers, Memorial donations may be made to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties (3130 Fruitville Road, Sarasota, Florida 34237), Easter Seals Happiness House (350 Braden Avenue, Sarasota, Florida 34243), or to a charity of choice.

DONATIONS:

In lieu of flowers, Memorial donations may be made to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties (3130 Fruitville Road, Sarasota, Florida 34237), Easter Seals Happiness House (350 Braden Avenue, Sarasota, Florida 34243), or to a charity of choice.

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Pauline’s life mantra was to “talk straight and

A+E INSIDE:

<RETIREMENT IS OVERRATED: Scott Keys has more time for community theater. 18A

BLACK TIE INSIDE:

SCORING FOR CHARITY: Girls Inc. hosts Totally Tailgate 19A>

ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT

SHOWING THE SACRED SIDE OF TANGO

IF YOU GO

Tango with Key Chorale

When: 4 p.m. Sept. 23

Where: Church of the Palms, 3224 Bee Ridge Road Tickets: $35-$45 Info: KeyChorale.org.

Without a doubt, Argentina’s tango is one of the sexiest dances on the planet. So it might seem strange to see the dance performed in a church to a Latin Mass. But not to Joseph Caulkins, maestro of Sarasota’s Key Chorale symphonic chorus.

To Caulkins, the seemingly contradictory themes of sensuality and sacred mesh nicely in Martín Palmeri’s “Misatango,” a Latin Mass that marks the start of Key Chorale’s 2023-24 season.

“There’s been dancing in religions for centuries,” points out Caulkins, who has been artistic director of Key Chorale for 16 years.

On Sept. 23, Key Chorale joins bandoneonist Ben Bogart and pia nist Winnie Cheung (known in the tango world as Ben & Winnie) along with four tra ditional tango dancers in a performance at Church of the Palms. This isn’t the first time Key Chorale has taken a twirl with tango in Sarasota. Back in 2018, the symphonic cho rus of more than 100 singers collaborated with Sarasota Ballet’s Studio Company to present “Misatango” at the Sarasota Opera House.  The show was a great suc cess, Caulkins said. He expects the same enthusiastic response from the audience

Courtesy photos

Pianist Winnie Cheung and bardoneonist Ben Bogart will appear with Key Chorale for a tango performance Sept. 23 at Church of the Palms.

Key Chorale’s 39th season kicks off with ‘Misatango.’

Junior Cervila and Guadalupe Garcia

this time around, especially since Billboard 100 artists Ben & Winnie are in the show. (The last time, Ben performed but not Winnie.)

Based in Bloomington, Indiana, Ben & Winnie define their mission (“to change the world”) in the hashtag #onetangoatatime. Ben is a bardoneonist who holds a degree from Berklee College of Music and a certificate from the Orquesta Escuela de Tango Emilio Balcarce. Composer and pianist Winnie, a native of Hong Kong, holds degrees from the University of Chicago and Rochester’s Eastman School of Music.

For those who don’t follow tango, Ben is a master of the instrument neophytes might mistakenly call an accordion. A type of concertina popular in Argentina and Uruguay, the bandoneon was named after a 19th century German instrument dealer named Heinrich Band. It was originally used for religious music, unlike other types of concertinas found in folk music.

If you consider tango and religion to be an unlikely combo, just wait until you hear about Key Chorale’s upcoming event that brings together Bach and beer. Still, it must be noted that both are among Germany’s most enduring exports.

Like its hops-infused inspiration, Key Chorale’s first “Bachtoberfest” will take place in October, at the Church of the Redeemer. There will be four concerts from Oct. 13-15, including one featuring period instruments, topped off by a “biergarten” experience catered by Calusa Brewing and Sarasota Catering.

The wide-ranging Bachtoberfest program will showcase the Key Chorale Chamber Singers, soprano Mary Wilson, trumpeter Aaron Romm and the chamber orchestra. There will even be traditional German music from Bill Milner’s Oompah Band in the beer garden.

Tickets range in price from $15 to $200 for a three-day pass. This being fun-loving Sarasota, there are sure to be a few Bach-style wigs and frock coats in the crowd, maybe even on Caulkins himself, if a video on Key Chorale’s website is any indication.

“It’s a fun program,” Caulkins says. “It’s something we’ve never done before. It’s been a jigsaw puzzle to put it all together.”

No one can say Caulkins doesn’t like a challenge. When he’s not creating innovative programming and conducting, the maestro likes to climb mountains. Caulkins has conquered hundreds of peaks throughout the U.S., Canada, France, Switzerland and Italy including Mount Rainier, Grand Teton, Mont Blanc and the Matterhorn.

But what Caulkins likes to do most of all is collaborate with Sarasota’s many cultural organizations. It’s been his hallmark since arriving in Florida in August 2007 from Illinois, where he was artistic director and conductor of the Bach Chamber Choir in Rockford and directed the

St. Procopius Chamber Orchestra and Choirs at Benedictine University in Lisle.

The many co-stars that Caulkins personally and Key Chorale collectively have worked with include professional orchestras, singers, dancers, high school students, circus artists and people living with Parkinson’s.

Caulkins is particularly devoted to nurturing the talents of young artists. Toward that end, the Key Chorale Chamber Singers and Booker High VPA Choir will come together on Nov. 18 with Artist Series Concerts for a program featuring violin virtuoso Alexander Markov.

On Feb. 20, the Booker, Riverview and Sarasota high school choirs will perform separately and alongside Key Chorale in “Tomorrow’s Voices Today High School Choral Festival.”

Sarasota’s heritage as the winter outpost of the Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Circus and the current home of the Circus Arts Conservatory has given Caulkins plenty of opportunities to team up with circus artists during his tenure at Key Chorale.

This season marks the 13th year that Key Chorale has worked with Circus Arts Conservatory on “Cirque des Voix,” or Circus of Voices. On March 22-23, a new show will once again meld circus and musical arts.

As a guest conductor, Key Chorale Maestro Caulkins has led The Venice Symphony, Space Coast Pops, The Sarasota Ballet and The Southwest Florida Symphony, where he was also associate conductor and director of choruses from 2001-2010.

Caulkins’ collaboration with The Venice Symphony continues in its 50th season, first when Key Chorale appears with the symphony on Feb. 23-24 with “Disney’s Maestro, A Tribute to Alan Menken” and again on April 23-24 with “The Crown Jewel Finale.”

In 2019, Caulkins was recognized for his tireless artistic efforts when he won the Arts Leadership Award for Artistic Achievement from the Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County.

One of Caulkins’s newest collaborators is Glenn Priestly, who joined Key Chorale as principal accompanist in May. Priestly took the position after retiring as worship director and chapel organist of Fairhaven, a megachurch in Dayton, Ohio, where he served for 20 years.

Priestly took over from Nancy Yost Olson, who retired after 14 years in the post.

Non-profit serving Sarasota and Manatee Counties. Rides to medical appointments, grocery store, or other errands for adults 60 and over who are unable or feel unsafe driving. Also, those of any age with vision difficulties.

Joseph Caulkins is Key Chorale’s artistic director.

Define Gallery gives Art Uptown artists a lifeline

Deena and Casey King’s new space is near the recently shuttered Art Uptown Gallery.

MONICA ROMAN GAGNIER ARTS+ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

For a small business, social media can be a blessing. But it can also be a curse. Just ask Casey and Deena King, the husband-and-wife proprietors of Define Art Gallery.

The Kings’ gallery is currently located at 2170 Main St., but they’re moving to 68 S. Palm Ave. and taking some of the artists displaced by the recent closing of Art Uptown Gallery with them.

An announcement listing 14 former Art Uptown exhibitors appeared on Facebook on Sept. 12. Since then, the Kings have had a deluge of phone calls, texts and emails from arts aficionados. They’ve also heard from Art Uptown veterans whose work will not be on display at Define, which opens Oct. 3, in time for First Friday Art Walk.

But there’s no such thing as bad publicity, right? Still, the Kings are worried the Facebook post gave the impression that all of Art Uptown’s former artists or even the gallery itself are moving to the new Define space.

For the record, the new Define space will include the works of 22 artists, including Deena King, who has exhibited at Creative Liberties in the Limelight District, as well as 14 artists formerly at Art Uptown.

Those artists are Ian Begg, Melanie Carlstein, Liz Cole, Gillian St. George, Donna Grossman, Joan Libby Hawk, Christine Hales, Esther Jensen, Deborah Kadagian, Evelyn McCorristan Peters, Janet Mishner, Cheryl Moody, Kathryn Adele Schumacher and Mariane Wurzbach.

The Kings don’t want to appear ungrateful for the publicity. “We don’t know who put up the post, but we’re grateful that they’re getting the word out,” says Casey King, a global

IT executive who works remotely. According to Deena King, the matchmaker between the former Art Uptown artists and Define was Barbara Gerdeman, co-founder of Creative Liberties.

The Kings moved to Sarasota right before COVID swept the country. Deena King started working on her fine art during the pandemic in the couple’s garage before finding studio space with Zero Empty Spaces, which seeks to provide artists with affordable studio space nationwide, and then with Creative Liberties.

The Kings opened their first Define gallery 18 months ago. By moving, Define will more than double its space, from 486 square feet to 1,000 square feet.

Define is offering artists a number of options to exhibit their work, none of which requires an exclusive agreement. Artists can pay an annual membership fee or join the gallery on a month-to-month basis.

An entry-level option calls for artists to pay a $250 monthly membership fee and to work part-time in the gallery.

The Kings view their Oct. 3 debut as a “soft opening” before a Nov. 17 “re-grand opening.”

Even though rising rents contributed to the August closing of Art Uptown after 43 years in business and the June exit of Dabbert Gallery after 18 years, Casey King thinks there’s room for new players in the downtown arts scene.

“There is still a hunger for art,” he says.

THIS WEEK

FRIDAY

STEVE BYRNE

7 p.m. at McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre, 1923 Ringling Blvd.

$28

Visit McCurdysComedy.com.

Pittsburgh native Steve Byrne is a favorite on the comedy festival circuit and has appeared at the Just for Laughs Festival in Montreal, Toronto and Chicago, and HBO’s Comedy Arts Festival in Las Vegas. Runs through Sept. 23.

2 PEACE

7 p.m. at Centennial Park, Venice Free Visit VisitVeniceFl.org.

Rock to the sounds of 2 Peace at this free Friday night concert hosted by Venice MainStreet and sponsored by Neal Communities. Bring your own chairs and blankets to Centennial Park, but leave the booze behind because no alcohol is allowed.

OUR PICK ‘UP ON THE ROOF’

In the 1950s and 1960s, Manhattan’s Brill Building was home to songwriting duos such as Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, Carole King and Gerry Goffin and Burt Bacharach and Hal David. Their iconic “Brill Sound” is showcased in this revue by Rebecca Hopkins and Richard Hopkins. Runs through Feb. 4.

IF YOU GO

When: 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday

Where: at FST’s Court Cabaret, 1265 First St.

Tickets: $18-$39

Info: Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.

DON’T MISS

FRIDAY FEST: JAH MOVEMENT

The Van Wezel’s Friday Fest free summer concert series comes to a close with a performance by reggae band Jah Movement, winner of the Manasota Honors 2021 Musical Artist of the Year award. Featuring vocalist Shantel Norman, Jah Movement sprinkles a little R&B, soul and funk into its potent mix of live reggae.

IF YOU GO

When: 5-9 p.m. Friday

Where: at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail Tickets: Free Info: Visit VanWezel.org.

SATURDAY

FAMILY ART DAY

9 a.m. to noon at Creative Liberties, 927 N. Lime Ave. Free Visit CreativeLiberties.net.

Artist Sandy Koolkin will lead families in a creative project that is suitable for all ages and skill levels. No RSVP required.

SARASOTA OPERA ANNUAL FOOD & WINE FESTIVAL

1-4 p.m. at Sarasota Opera House, 61 Pineapple Ave. $75 Visit SarasotaOpera.org.

Restaurants will serve bites, wine and other nibbles while gift cards and Sarasota Opera tickets will be raffled off at this annual benefit for Sarasota Youth Opera. This year’s lineup features many festival veterans as well as newcomers such as Molly’s Pub and Shore.

Season 28

Stars Ascending 2023-24

Intimate musical experiences.

Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota offers a diverse range of 26 concerts featuring emerging and accomplished classical, chamber, jazz, and pop artists from around the globe. Full concert schedule/tickets: ArtistSeriesConcerts.org NEXUS

Shannon Lee Apr. 28 & 29

Courtesy photo

Scott Keys’ second act

IF YOU GO

‘RUTHLESS!’

When: Sept. 27-Oct. 15

Where: The Players Centre, The Crossings at Siesta Key Tickets: $32 Info: ThePlayers.org

MONICA ROMAN GAGNIER ARTS+ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

When a visitor urges actors rehearsing for an upcoming performance of the Sarasota Players’ “Ruthless!” to pretend “she’s a fly on the wall,” director Scott Keys laughs.

“That’s impossible,” he tells the cast. “It’s like when the principal comes to observe a class; everyone sits up a little straighter.”

Keys knows a little something about life in a classroom. In 2021, he retired as director of the theater program at Booker High School’s renowned Visual and Performing Arts Program, where he had been a teacher since 2000.

Retirement isn’t a word that’s in Booker’s vocabulary. Instead of high school musicals, some of which he wrote by himself and with partners, Keys is directing community theater, including “Ruthless!” The tale of a scheming child actress opens at The Players Centre on Sept. 27.

One of the oldest cultural institutions in town, The Sarasota Players was founded in 1929 and recently returned to its original name. Its offices are in the Rosemary District and its stage is in the Crossings at Siesta Key Mall, but the community theater is getting a new home in Payne Park.

During his teaching career and now after it, Keys is one of the exceptions to the longstanding putdown about academics, “Those who can’t, teach.” The first part of that sentence, lifted from George Bernard Shaw’s play, “Man and Superman,” is “Those who can, do.”

A graduate of Syracuse University’s musical theater program with a teaching degree from Eckerd College has over 150 productions to his credit, including Venice Theatre, FST, Manatee Players and Sarasota Players, as

well as the Weathervane Playhouse in Akron, Ohio, where he served as artistic director for seven years.

Watching Keys mark up his script during the “Ruthless!” rehearsal, “give notes” (theater-speak for critique) and use his index finger as a baton to direct his pianist and cast, Keys evokes archetypal characters.

Is he the Magician in the Tarot?

Maybe the Pied Piper of children’s fairy tales? Perhaps even Willy Wonka of the silver screen, if you give him a jaunty top hat.

In any event, one gets the feeling that Keys is up to something fun, maybe even subversive, and you immediately want to be part of it.

After an hour or so watching Keys rehearse, you come away quite sure that he’s the kind of high school theater teacher who has launched a thousand dreams.

Indeed that’s the story of how Keys ended up in the theater himself. A native of Dayton, Ohio, Keys says he attended a high school dominated by sports. Despite his lanky physique, Keys didn’t see himself as a basketball player. Instead, he found his calling after his high school drama teacher cast him as Jesus in the school production of the musical “Godspell.”

A former seminarian, Doug Benbow was the only Black teacher at Keys’ high school at the time, Keys says. “He was very creative. He changed my perspective. He gave a closeted gay boy a chance to shine,” he says.

At Booker, Keys gave aspiring artists the tools (keys?) to hone their talents, earning the award for Sarasota County Teacher of the Year in 2008-09. Among his former students who have gone on to show business careers are Charlie Barnett, Drew Foster and Syesha Mercado.

While at Booker, Keys directed more than 50 productions, including plays, musicals and original works. His last hurrah was “Kingdom of Solitaire,” which he created with Theater Music Director Johnnie Mnich. The two had previously collaborated on the original musical “Sleepy Hollow” in 2012, as well as songs and librettos for musical revues.

“Kingdom of Solitaire” was built on the foundation of a play that Keys wrote in high school called “The Fifth Suit,” about a kingdom of cards that’s on the brink of collapse. Keys went back to the idea and modified it in response to the political divisions whose tensions were fueled by quarantine, social distancing, masks and other measures to stop the spread of COVID.

Keys had planned to retire from Booker in 2020 but agreed to stay on for another year in the middle of the pandemic.

Remote learning and isolation from peers was particularly difficult for students in the performing arts, Keys says. “There was a genuine malaise, lack of engagement and in some cases almost hostility during the pandemic,” he recalls.

“We actually had a few students withdraw from the program,” he continues. “They just didn’t see the point to taking acting classes or voice when you had to stand six to 12 feet away.  Plus, there was a real fear that the performing arts would never come back, and therefore it was no longer a potential career choice.”

Like many members of Sarasota’s arts community, Keys earned his theater stripes in New York City, where he spent 10 years. In addition to earning an MFA from NYU, he worked at Playwrights Horizons.

Ultimately, he and his partner, David Covach, now head of the costume department at Asolo Repertory Theatre, came to Sarasota for its sunshine and vibrant performing arts scene.

Today, Keys is one of the pillars of that community. After “Ruthless!” at The Players, Keys will direct

the Tony Award-winning musical “Parade” at Bradenton’s Manatee Players in March. Earlier this year, he appeared in Sarasota’s first fringe festival, the Squeaky Wheel Fringe Festival, with a one-man play called “The Sequestered Jester.”

Despite all his theatrical credits, just a few of Keys’ productions are available to license and perform. When you Google him, among the musicals and revues that turn up are  “Look Out, Olympus!” and “Hula Hoops and Halos” (both with Jeffrey Smart), “Hollywood Hillbillies” (with Tim Kelly) and “First in Line” (with Robert Frankel).

Given the enduring appeal of the Headless Horseman and its spinoffs, Keys and Mnich’s “Sleepy Hollow” would seem to be an ideal candidate for license.

But Keys says submitting musicals to publishers requires lots of documentation and live footage, which he and his collaborators didn’t always create nor bother to preserve.  Evidently, those who do, don’t always document.  No matter. Keys’ legacy is the magic he creates in the lives of his students and audiences.

The retired arts educator is directing ‘Ruthless!’ in Sarasota and ‘Parade’ in Bradenton.

Courtesy photos

Retired Booker High School educator Scott Keys has more time to pursue community theater and other arts endeavors since his 2021 retirement.

Scott Keys performed in “The Sequestered Jester,” a one-man show at the first Squeaky Wheel Fringe Festival.

At Sarasota Players, Scott Keys is directing the musical “Ruthless!” about a girl willing to do anything to play the lead role in her school musical.

Girls Inc. kicks off with Totally Tailgate event

Saturday, Sept. 9, at Michael’s On East | Benefiting Girls’ Inc.

Whether they were football fans or just there to act like a fan with some tailgate food favorites, patrons of Girls Inc. gathered Sept. 9 for the nonprofit’s sixth annual Totally Tailgate event at Michael’s On East.

Attendees were able to watch their favorite college football teams on multiple screens or could engage in some in-person competition with the cornhole tournament.

Along with the games was a beer garden featuring local craft brews, all set to live music by MonkeyFinger. Proceeds from the event will go to support Girls Inc. and its programming to inspire all girls to be strong, smart and bold.

OBSERVER STAFF

Graham Devitt and Dani Oliva

Photos by Lori Sax

Kabena Williams and Molly Moore

Rebecca Guttridge and Rebecca Lewis

A TAPESTRY OF CULTURE

When Sarasota artist Carlos Goebels sought artwork to adorn the walls of the Betty J. Johnson North Sarasota Library, where he volunteers, he found the answer in his culture and its diverse offerings.  Goebels has been helping revitalize the space after COVID-19, and his idea for an art exhibition in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15 to Oct. 15) received the approval of Library Manager Erin Clay.

The Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month Art Exhibition, featuring work by Goebels and four of his colleagues, serves an area where he says 40% of the population within a fivemile radius is of Latino descent.

“We are passionate about celebrating the rich tapestry of cultures in Sarasota, and this event is a wonderful way to bring people together for a good time,” said Clay.

CARLOS GOEBELS

The exhibition’s paintings by Goebels reveal a strong Latin American influence.

Although born in New York, Goebels, who is half Mexican, has been deeply impacted by the country, including Guanajuato, Mexico, the birthplace of renowned painter Diego Rivera which Goebels considers the most beautiful city he has ever visited.

“I went to his museum, but the city I just fell in love with,” he said, noting that he quickly produced 12 paintings from his photographs upon returning home.

Although he chose to focus on Mexico for the exhibition, with a style he compares to cubism and Fauvism, his work frequently features Sarasota seascapes and cityscapes influenced in style by Florida Highwaymen artists active from the 1950s to 1980s.

JUDY LEVINE

Inside Judy Levine’s display case lies an intricate tapestry of color featuring necklaces and jewelry with beads of turquoise, ivory, hand-painted seed pods, and more. There are even silver beads depicting arms, legs and faces, part of a Mexican tradition where such charms are placed on saints to heal

IF YOU GO

time, as well as over the 30 years he has been an artist.

“I think when you’ve been doing this for a long time, people will start believing in what you do, but you have to believe it for yourself,” he said.

Garcia’s heritage is a major influence on his work; he grew up in Mexico and has lived in the U.S. for 20 years.

them from illness. Levine describes her affinity for Mexican art, which she has been practicing for around 60 years, as resonating with her own artistic style, and has traveled to the country many times.

“I myself draw that way, so I’m attracted to it — I’m not a realistic drawer,” she said. “I love the fact that they use materials very creatively, like the pods. It’s joyful and they have stories that accompany their folk art, and I’m a storyteller.”

As a photographer, Levine curated an exhibit of Day of the Dead photographs at The Players Theatre in Sarasota.

Among her cherished creations are memory keepers, assemblages in boxes that convey different narratives, which she bases on small Mexican shrines. One of these pieces was featured in “Art in Common Places,” a Sarasota project where artists displayed their work in unconventional

spaces.

Judith Levine features her work at Creative Liberties and also hosts “Art with Judy” on Fridays at Selby Library.

KAREN ARANGO

Goebels approached Sarasota’s Karen Arango with the idea of focusing on Latinas, she decided to shine a spotlight on a particular segment of her diverse community — AfroLatinas.

The series of images reveal the home life, culture and community of the Afro-Latina girls and women they feature. Arango’s artistic collaboration with these individuals, who live in Sarasota and Bradenton, has spanned three years, resulting in relationships she likens to close friendship. Arango found herself inspired by the bond the subjects share.

“They’re very graceful and happy. They’re always very close to each

other, and they help each other, they’re there for each other,” she said.

In many of the photos, the subjects are adorned with colorful African textiles. Arango recalled that one of the women she photographed described her experience as “having the best of both worlds,” due to her dual heritage.

“I’m honored that Carlos thought of me for this exhibit,” Arango said. “I love that I can share my culture through photographs, and I can show a part of my culture that maybe others don’t know.”

ALFREDO GARCIA

For Bradenton’s Alfredo Garcia, art is the pursuit of connecting with others, a goal he achieved once was able to find his own voice and style.

“So many clients claim that when they see my work, they feel a certain peace,” he said. “I like that. It’s like you’re connecting with them, and I think that’s the purpose of art, really.”

Many of his works portray heavy women in what he describes as a comical yet respectful manner, while others, like a painting of a boy riding a fox titled “On My Way Back Home,” he says are “highly spiritual” and have helped ease anxiety impacting him as well as viewers.  His work was not always distinctive in appearance; while attending college in Mexico, Garcia was trained to paint methodically, but he saw growth as an artist during that

“At some point, I feel like there is a fusion between American culture and Mexican culture, and you probably can see that through my work,” he said.

NATHALIA RODENAS

Bradenton’s Nathalia Rodenas had been immersed in the world of art since age 2 or 3, but is crossing a new milestone with her first-ever exhibition at age 16.

“It really is such an honor to even be invited by Carlos to like, ‘Hey, come do your art here,’” she said.

Every creation on display bears a personal significance for her.

Rodenas was born in Tennessee to Luis Rodenas, whose parents were Guatemalan, and Juanita Chabes, who was born in Mexico, and enjoys sharing her culture through her work.

“Culture is a really big thing for me, and I feel like I’m deeply connected with my culture, so I feel like I just want to share that with others,” she said.

Her favorite piece on display is titled “You’re Not Hungry” and features a pig, which has been given very little food to eat, seated next to a girl, who has been given much more food.

“I’m a big girl. I’m a plus-size girl, and that piece was really the embodiment of feeling shamed by society, and shamed by other people, for what I ate,” she said.

“What’s life without art?” she said. “There’s art all around us. The buildings are art: lines, contrast color, everything. I couldn’t live without art; life without art would be dead.”

IAN SWABY STAFF WRITER

North Sarasota library art show celebrates National Hispanic Heritage Month.

Betty J. Johnson North Sarasota Library, 2801 Newtown Blvd. On display through Oct. 15.

Judy Levine

Alfredo Garcia

Photos by Ian Swaby Photographs by Karen Arango adorn the walls.

Carlos Goebels talks with Paul Toliver.

Nathalia Rodenas

Give Your Child a High Tech Advantage

at State College of Florida Coding Academy

The State College of Florida Coding Academy gives local youth a hightech advantage through pre-college workshops, after-school enrichment programs, youth competitions, and micro-credential classes. Located in the Advanced Technology Center at SCF Bradenton, the Coding Academy is a premier training center introducing students and adults to STEM majors and careers.

With access to an innovation zone featuring Arduino microprocessors, 3D printers, laser cutters, drones, a virtual reality lab, and game design laptops, students engage in hands-on activities to expand their knowledge of emerging technologies. Students, as young as second grade, experience immersive hands-on experiences in career and

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technical fields, leading to increased motivation, improved critical thinking skills, and a better understanding of math and science concepts.

The Coding Academy offers pre-college emerging technology workshops for high school students, after-school enrichment classes, competitions, and more for younger students. Emerging technologies taught include drones, robotics, augmented/virtual reality, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and ethical hacking.

After-school enrichment classes have started for 2nd through 8th graders,

including Coding with Minecraft®, FIRST® LEGO® League robotics, Drone Zone Experience, cybersecurity, AR/ VR, AI, 3D design/printing, drone competitions, coding hackathons, and micro-credential classes.

Scholarships

STEM camps are offered during the Summer, Winter, and Spring breaks at SCF Bradenton, Lakewood Ranch, and Venice campuses. Elementary camps feature Minecraft, drones, robotics, and STEM science. Middle and high-school camps offer robotics, engineering, drones, manufacturing, graphic/video production, cybersecurity, and field trips to local tech/manufacturing businesses.

The Coding Academy offers their Innovation Zone with 3D printers,

laser engraver, VR headsets, game design computers, robots, drones, Arduino microcontrollers, and more for homeschool students and youth groups to receive hands-on training.

Schedule

For more information or to schedule a tour of SCF Coding Academy’s programs, contact Director Desh Bagley at (941) 752-5160 or email Coding@SCF.edu.

REGAL READ: Susan Pohlmann posed in front of the The Royal on the Palm in Dubai, that opened in 2023, with the Sarasota Observer

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Heartfelt greetings

Seniors with dementia create greeting cards to raise funds for Alzheimer’s Association.

IAN SWABY STAFF WRITER

Stepping into Town Square Sarasota senior care facility, visitors are greeted by a remarkable sight: a display of greeting cards showcasing a variety of designs, from button-formed shapes to abstract compositions.

Yet, the surprise doesn’t end there. Beyond the lobby is something you’re unlikely to find anywhere else — a 1950s-style town setup, entirely indoors, complete with different rooms fashioned as individualized shops.

And looking inside one of the storefronts, you might just find seniors at work, creating the artwork for the very cards you passed on the way inside.

“I like to do painting any time I get a chance,” said attendee June Finklea on Aug. 13.

Last month, thanks to sales to the general public, including day care members and their families, the cards generated approximately $900 in proceeds for Alzheimer’s Association, said Michael Finn, who co-owns Town Square with his wife, Sherri Finn.

The center ramped up its efforts with the cards last month in honor of September, which is World Alzheimer’s Month, said Michael Finn. Most of the seniors who attend the day care center have Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia.

“It seems to connect with people,” said Sherri Finn. “People are happy to get a really nice thing that they can use, that someone here made, which is awesome.”

CREATIVE IMPACT

Part of the value of these cards, as noted by the staff, lies in the impact they have on the seniors involved in

their creation.

The art sessions are just one way attendees at the day center, who may spend much of their time at home, are able to blossom and socialize again, said Michael Finn.

“The art program is just part of all the programs, but it’s a really important piece of the puzzle,” he said. The attendees behind the cards range from those with an established history in art to those with no background at all.

Art sessions take place nearly every day, drawing 40 to 50 participants. On Aug. 13, seniors could be seen using brushes and an assortment of paints to create multicolored swirls, adorned with glitter.

The crafts do not end with the art for the cards.

In a corner are palm fronds painted to resemble blue marlins, and in another corner rests a small, bare tree that the staff refer to as the center’s “A Charlie Brown Christmas” tree for this year.

Jill Grinnell, the center’s director and a 33-year veteran of demen -

Photos by Ian Swaby

Greeting cards featuring art created by seniors are displayed at the entrance to Town Square Sarasota.

ABOUT TOWN SQUARE SARASOTA

3882 Central Sarasota Parkway. Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Visit TownSquare.net/Sarasota.

Number of Members: 130+

Staffing Ratio: 1:5 dementiatrained staff per member

Number of Employees: 11

Location Opened: February

2022

Example Programs: Strength training and yoga; felt flowermaking and beading; improv; ballroom dancing; musical performances; games and trivia; cooking classes; dance party karaoke; movies and more.

tia centers, said the art reveals the untapped potential of the seniors.

The program dates back to a moment when one attendee produced a drawing, which he disliked and wanted discarded. Staff admired the artwork, with Sherri Finn having the idea to incorporate it into a greeting card, thus starting the initiative.

“I think sometimes people initially are intimidated by art because they think they need to be an artist,” Grinnell said. “We are allowing people to come in and encouraging them to be creative and see what they’re capable of, because we’re providing everything for them. We’re providing them the encouragement and then we are adapting it to what their abilities are.”

Grinnell also shared another story involving a recent member who, on her first day, used her finger to create blue squiggles in an acrylic pouring art piece. The next day, her husband was surprised by her talent, as she had never painted before.

“We just let her be her,” she said. “She was amazed. He was amazed. He was proud. She was proud. And

now people want to come in here; they want to try.”

However, some seniors are also embracing their artistic backgrounds.

Among them is Bruce White, a Chicago-based sculptor and retired art professor, who has been responsible for numerous installations around Sarasota, including Four Winds at New College, Meander behind the Federal Building, and Samurai, near Sarasota City Hall.

Despite his dementia, White still continues to craft drawings with carefully designed abstract images.

“He’s moved from creating massive steel beam sculptures outdoors, to drawing, but the drawing that he’s doing is incredible,” said Michael Finn. “They’re wonderful and he’s just such an amazing part of what goes on here.”

White has bonded with another attendee, Ray Melderis, and enjoys working on art alongside him.

Art is just one of the offerings found in the retro-style “town,” which also includes exercise activities, game rooms, music sessions, a 1950s-style movie theater and more.

As Aug. 13 marked National School Picture Day, the center decided to celebrate by taking student-like pictures of the seniors, including playful shots.

When seniors register with the center, Town Square’s trained staff assess the cognitive abilities of new members and assign them to groups that best suit them.

A third of attendees are veterans, for whom attendance costs are covered by the VA.

One benefit of the day center, said Michael Finn, is that it gives families a break in order to perform errands, go to appointments, or perform other activities, while knowing that the seniors are receiving engagement socialization and making friends again — that they are “really well cared for and having fun.”

Mary Kregenow and June Finklea create artwork.

AFRAID OF THE DENTIST?

Let the gaming begin

Ringling College gamers have leveled up with a new space tailored to on-screen competition.

Joy Che and Alana Urias were wandering through Ann and Alfred Goldstein Hall at Ringling College of Art and Design on Sept. 13 when they encountered a surprising sight.

The two members of the college’s varsity esports team, the Ringling Rollers, discovered a room with rows of computers and monitors, where video games were displayed on all screens.

“When we saw all of the computers, we got so happy,” said Joy Che.

E Ramey, recreation and wellness coordinator at the school, called the response to the esports, or electronic sports, arena “tremendous” follow-

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THE GAMING ARENA

■ 1,200-square-foot space

■ 10 state-of-the-art gaming stations

■ Four console stations, each with an 83-inch TV, XBOX Series X, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch

■ Top gaming equipment and a 4090 graphics card for each PC station ■ Lounge viewing and playing area

ing its full opening on Sept. 11.

As of Aug. 21, the arena had been officially open for the Ringling Rollers, the team which includes all varsity and junior varsity esports divisions at the school.

Although esports, a worldwide phenomenon, began on students’ laptops in 2020 when it came to Ringling College, interest rapidly grew, sending Ramey on a search to meet the demand, which resulted in him eventually securing the space of the former conference area.

“The idea was, how can this great art and design school have some

This is a FREE LECTURE SERIES with FREE VALET PARKING at main hospital entrance. Light refreshments served. RSVP required. Reserve your space by phone at (941) 917-7777 or online at smh.com/lectures.

M. Blair Marshall, MD

Sarah C. Kimball, MD

Jerette J. Schultz, MD

Kristen L. Walker, MD

Jennifer S. Holl, MD

Anna V. Soendker, MD

IAN SWABY STAFF WRITER

Photos by Ian Swaby

Joshua Walls, Jeehee Kim, Shannon Craddock, Sophie Leoni and Kevin Carrio enjoy the lounge area.

form of athletics?” said project contractor Scott Treibly.

The room enhances the experience of players through improved internet connectivity, dark walls and a dark ceiling, an atmospheric lighting scheme, gaming stations, a gaming lounge area and rows of large monitors that allow bystanders to view the gameplay on the computer screens.

“When people walk in, they know this is an esports room,” said student Viktor Niksdorf.

Student Jaehee Kim said the arena was succeeding in its goal of allowing students to play alongside other schools virtually, something that previously was not possible due to the speed of the internet connection it demanded.

“We’ve worked very hard to try to get the best of the best for the space, and it seems like it’s working out so far,” said Derek Plassman, manager of facilities and capital projects at the college.

Students said the space is also offering a more social environment for an activity with a typically introverted setup.

On Sept. 13, many students at the arena were completing an assignment that involved performing tests on video games designed by the school’s seniors.

“We used to go through it by ourselves, take notes and send it to the seniors, but now we’re all doing it as a community, and it’s more special seeing everyone,” said Sierra Garzan.

On the night of Sept. 10, the arena had its first watch party for one of the varsity matches and hosted 38 people in the arena, in addition to the five varsity members, Treibly said.

Divisions this semester consist of

“Overwatch,” “Super Smash Bros.” and “Valorant,” with a total of 36 individuals registered. The college is also looking to add teams in “League of Legends” and “Rocket League.”

“It’s a great example of how technology and gaming can come together,” said Monique Chicvak, manager of facilities and capital projects at the college. “Because in a space like this, you can’t have one without the other, and it’s a great space for students to scrimmage, to play competitively to just hang out with their friends to add a sense of community to Ringling.”

“I’m really excited to see what it can provide when it comes to other schools,” Kim said. “I am looking forward to inviting them so we can show it off a little — beat their butts.”

Ramey said some features intended to be implemented in the future are a commentator box, digital signage, and a mural outside the room.

“I love it. I’m here all day now,” said Sophie Leoni. “It’s so wonderful we have this place.”

Ben Sanders tests a game by Ryan Cummings.

Condominium in The Tower Residences tops sales at

ADAM HUGHES RESEARCH EDITOR

Acondominium in The Tower Residences tops all transactions in this week’s real estate. Jean Martin, of Sarasota, sold her Unit 1203 condominium at 35 Watergate Drive to George Elliott Mitchell and Herbert Clark West, trustees, of Lakewood Ranch, for $2,934,300. Built in 2003, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,985 square feet of living area. It sold for $2 million in 2017.

SARASOTA NICHOLS

Katherine Sturm, of Canaan, Connecticut, sold her home at 1746 Hillview St. to Mark and Kristen Senyshyn, of Ontario, Canada, for $2,265,000. Built in 2011, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,321 square feet of living area. It sold for $1.1 million in 2018.

POINSETTIA PARK

Mission Property Partners LLC sold the home at 1844 Magnolia St. to Paul Norris McClain, of Sarasota, for $2.05 million. Built in 2022, it has four bedrooms, three-and-ahalf baths, a pool and 2,883 square feet of living area.

THE RESIDENCES

Ciel Sarasota LLC sold the Unit 1003 condominium at 1111 Ritz Carlton Drive to Jay Richards, trustee, of Norwell, Massachusetts, for $2.05 million. Built in 2001, it has two bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and 2,239 square feet of living area. It sold for $2,125,000 in 2022.

PHILLIPPI COVE

John and Maike Foster, of Sarasota, sold their home at 2408 Nassau St. to Ernesto Mejia, of Orlando, for $1,375,000. Built in 2017, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,599 square feet of living area. It sold for $100,000 in 2015.

ONE HUNDRED CENTRAL

Lawrence Shapiro, trustee, and Nancy Shapiro, of Sarasota, sold the Unit K817 condominium at 100 Central Ave. to Harold Ott, trustee, of Palmetto, for $1.2 million. Built in 2005, it has two bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and 1,707 square feet of living area. It sold for $825,000 in 2016.

1350 MAIN RESIDENTIAL

Sheila Saval and Louis Friedman, trustees, of Baltimore, sold the Unit 1104 condominium at 1350 Main St. to Garry Schweitz, of Sarasota, for $1 million. Built in 2007, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,336 square feet of living area. It sold for $525,000 in 2007.

RENAISSANCE

Gary Doer and Virginia Devine, of Manitoba, Canada, sold their

Other top sales by area

SIESTA KEY: $1,175,000

Sarasota Beach James and Dorothy Sweeney, of Sarasota, sold their home at 5516 Avenida Del Mare to John Benke and Laura Bernice Benke, of Tuckahoe, New York, for $1,175,000. Built in 1976, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,259 square feet of living area. It sold for $505,000 in 2003.

PALMER RANCH: $1.8M

Silver Oak

Lawrence and Nancy Babine, trustees, of Carlisle, Massachusetts, sold the home at 8917 Bloomfield Blvd. to David John Vivian and Elisa Anne Krupa, of Ashburn, Virginia, for $1,806,000. Built in 2004, it has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 5,763 square feet of living area.

OSPREY: $850,000

Unit 1515 condominium at 750 N. Tamiami Trail to Mark Stubits and Susan Loraine, of West Chester, Pennsylvania, for $785,000. Built in 2001, it has one bedroom, one bath and 990 square feet of living area. It sold for $425,000 in 2016.

HUNTINGTON POINTE

Scott Snyder and Christine Wainwright Snyder, of El Paso, Texas, sold their home at 8846 Huntington Pointe Drive to Victor and Tatiana Demidenko, of Calabasas, California, for $629,000. Built in 1993, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,176 square feet of living area. It sold for $189,900 in 1999.

David Osborn and Allison Taylor, of Bradenton, sold their Unit 204 condominium at 1668 Starling Drive to Richard and Michelle Martucci, of Sarasota, for $589,000. Built in 1989, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,775 square feet of living area. It sold for $240,000 in 2020.

PELICAN COVE

Macklin and Sheryl Duggins, of Tallahassee, sold their Unit T-118 condominium at 1619 Treehouse Circle to Robert Denison, trustee, of Sarasota, for $579,800. Built in 1975, it has two bedrooms, three baths and 1,670 square feet of living area. It sold for $255,000 in 2016.

BROADWAY PROMENADE

Cynthia Ann Wright, of Sarasota, sold the Unit 1337 condominium at 1064 N. Tamiami Trail to Debra Olson, of Aitkin, Minnesota, for $550,000. Built in 2007, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,051 square feet of living area. It sold for $247,500 in 2016.

SAPPHIRE HEIGHTS

Elena DeLaville sold the home at 4839 Stevens Drive to Ronald Webber, of Sarasota, for $500,000. Built in 1956, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,528 square feet of living area. It sold for $162,700 in 2014.

SIESTA KEYCRYSTAL SANDS

Scott Smith, of Grand Blanc Township, Michigan, sold his Unit 8 condominium at 6300 Midnight Pass Road to TNT Rental Properties LLC for $975,000. Built in 1969, it

TOP BUILDING PERMITS

has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,253 square feet of living area. It sold for $780,000 in 2022.

HARBOR TOWERS YACHT AND RACQUET CLUB

Camille Connolly, trustee, of LaGrange, Illinois, sold the Unit 202 condo at 5855 Midnight Pass Road to Joseph and Barbara Passalacqua, of Boulder, Colorado, for $655,000. Built in 1976, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,165 square feet.

See more transactions at YourObserver.com

The Woodlands at Rivendell

Sherif Bastawros, of Weston, and Vivian Leigh Yousef, of Clearwater, sold their home at 1081 Scherer Way to Matthew and Jessica Fernandez, of Osprey, for $850,000. Built in 2004, it has six bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,982 square feet of living area. It sold for $475,000 in 2014.

NOKOMIS: $825,000

Havana Heights Ernst and Linda Ann Soeker sold their home at 2501 Broad St. to Leonard and Ellen Topping, of Nokomis, for $825,000. Built in 2001, it has four bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,133 square feet of living area. It sold for $407,000 in 2007.

4-8, in order of dollar amounts.

Sarasota

Courtesy of Realtor Jo Rutstein

Built in 2003, this condo at 35 Watergate Drive offers three bedrooms, three baths and 2,985 square feet of living area. It sold for $2,934,300.

FRIDAY, SEPT. 22

THE MAGIC OF OAK TREES

11 a.m. at Sarasota Children’s Garden, 1670 10th Way. Garden admission 13 years and up: $10; ages 3 and up: $6; kids younger than 2 enter free. Learn about how oak trees grow from tiny acorns, then use nature materials to decorate an acorn collage. Visit SarasotaChildrensGarden.com.

SATURDAY SEPT. 23

FAMILY ART DAY

9 a.m. to noon at Creative Liberties

Artist Studios, Gallery & Creative Academy, 927 N. Lime Ave. Free. Held the third Saturday of each month, this event for all skill levels involves a professional artist leading families in an art project. All supplies included. Visit CreativeLiberties.net.

16TH INTERNATIONAL NATURAL HEALTH & FOODS EXPO

10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sept. 23 and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sept. 24 at 801 N. Tamiami Trail. $10. Hosted by Healthy Referral Newspaper and Mind Your Body and Spirit Radio, there will be numerous exhibits and speakers offering the most recent information in natural health and nutrition. Veterans receive complimentary tickets. Visit EventBrite.com.

NATIONAL PUBLIC LANDS DAY AT POTTER PARK DAY

8:30-11:30 a.m. at Potter Park, 8587 Potter Park Drive. The county commemorates the 30th annual National Public Lands Day, the largest single-day volunteer event for public lands. All ages can partner with county staff in activities that include litter pickup, nuisance plant removal, native vegetation, and path paving for a new trail. Visit SCGov.net.

UNLEASH THE MAGIC: DERRIC AND FRIENDS SET THE STAGE ABLAZE

5-8 p.m. at Hamlet’s Eatery, 821 Apricot Ave. Performers from Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, including Derric Gobourne Jr., will bring their energy to the stage at Hamlet’s Eatery, offering a range of music from soul to pop as attendees enjoy food and drinks. Visit HamletsEatery.com.

BEST BET

SATURDAY, SEPT. 23

BAY FEST! EXPLORING OUR UNDERWATER WORLDS

10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 1717 Ken Thompson Parkway. Free. Experience a showcase of the underwater world including exhibits featuring local marine life, experts who can discuss habitats and conservation and kayak tours, along with live music and food trucks. Visit EventBrite.com.

TUESDAY, SEPT. 26

TRAVELOGUE — EXPLORE AFRICA

PART 1 2 p.m.-3:30 p.m. at Gulf Gate Library, 7112 Curtiss Ave. Free. Learn about bamboo forests in Africa’s first national park, Volcanoes National Park, as well as Amboseli Nation Park, which has more elephants than any other park in Kenya. Visit SCGov.LibraryMarket.com.

THURSDAY, SEPT. 28

CINEMA AT THE BAY:

MCFARLAND USA

7:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. at The Oval, 1055 Boulevard of the Arts. Enjoy a film screening under the stars. The selection for this event is “McFarland USA” (PG), the true story of a 1987 cross-country team from a mainly Latino high school, led by football coach Jim White (Kevin Costner). Bring your own blankets and chairs. Cuisine available from Nakos Tacos food truck. Visit TheBaySarasota. org.

Courtesy photo

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SEPTEMBER

SPORTS

Fast Break

ANY WAY THEY CAN

RYAN KOHN SPORTS EDITOR

Every week, it will be someone new.  That’s how the Riverview High football team (3-1) is looking at things. To win, a different unit — and different players within that unit — will need to lead the charge. Through four weeks, it appears the team is capable of handling that challenge.

Olympian Emma Weyant

Sporti announced a collaboration on a swimwear collection Jan. 11.

Former Riverview High and Sarasota Sharks swimmer Emma Weyant was named to the 2023-24 USA Swimming National Team on Sept. 13. It is Weyant’s fifth time on the National Team. Weyant won a silver medal in the 400-meter individual medley at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. The next summer games, the Paris Olympics, are scheduled to begin July 26, 2024.

Former Sarasota Crew rower Clark Dean, who represented Team USA at the Tokyo Olympics, competed with the U.S. Men’s 8+ boat at the 2023 World Rowing Championships in Belgrade, Serbia, held Sept. 3-10. Dean and the U.S. finished sixth in the event finals (05:29.18), with Dean taking the No. 2 seat.

Sarasota High freshman boys golfer Jacob Menard shot a 35 to take medalist honors in the Sailors’ match against Parrish Community High, held Sept. 13 at Bradenton’s Heritage Harbour Golf and Eatery. Riverview High volleyball junior Gabrielle Meese had seven kills and three blocks Sept. 12 in the Rams’ 3-0 home win over Lemon Bay High. Meese has 81 kills and 29 blocks through 11 games in 2023.

Sarasota High boys crosscountry senior Cole Homer finished 12th out of 120 runners (17:08.10) at the 2023 Seffner Christian Invitational, held Sept. 9 at Holloway Park in Lakeland.

Former Sarasota High running back Brian Battie had five carries for 21 yards Sept. 16 for the Auburn University Tigers in their 45-13 win over Samford University. Battie, a junior, has 14 carries for 58 yards on the season.

Against Cardinal Mooney High (3-1) on Sept. 14, it was the defense that got the job done. While the Rams’ offense struggled for the first two-and-a-half quarters, the defense never flinched, allowing zero points to the Cougars’ offense.

In fact, Mooney got their only points on the game’s first play from scrimmage — which came on defense. A scoop-and-score fumble recovery by senior Zy’marion Lang put Mooney on the board, but the Cougars could do nothing against Riverview’s sticky secondary and stout front seven. The game was tied at 7 at halftime, but the Rams ultimately walked away with a 35-7 victory.

The win came one week after a decidedly looser defensive performance in a 52-42 win over Palmetto High (2-1). Riverview High

Head Coach Josh Smithers credited his defensive assistants, as well as Rams strength coach Mark Cristiani, with getting his defense ready to go one week after surrendering all those points. Was it a drastic scheme change that caused the improvement? No, Smithers said. It was a mentality change.

“We do it the old-fashioned way,” Smithers said. “Our guys are hardnosed and blue-collar. You can’t buy success and toughness. You’ve got to work for that. I loved the way the guys approached it (this week). They were resilient and I love it. I felt like we were more physical the whole game. Last week, we had a hard time getting off the field. We told these guys: Sometimes offensive has got to win it; sometimes defense has got to win it. Tonight it was the defense’s time.”

Rams junior Landon Marsters (14 tackles, two tackles for loss) and senior Chase Caldwell (13 tackles) led the charge, but it was a collective effort, with big games also coming from senior Henry Fioriglio (eight tackles, two tackles for loss, one sack), senior Jack Folvig (eight tackles, one tackle for loss) and senior Luke Haskins (six tackles, two tackles for loss, two sacks). The secondary’s success is harder to measure with defensive stats, but Mooney

IF YOU GO

What: Riverview High football (3-1) vs. Venice High (1-2 as of Sept. 18)

When: 7:30 p.m. Sept. 29

Where: Venice High

Why: The Rams and the Indians have an intense rivalry, with each matchup carrying a lot of meaning — both personally and in the playoff picture. Including playoff games, the Rams have lost six straight meetings in the rivalry, with Riverview’s last win being a 24-21 win in September 2019. Can the 2023 Rams break that streak?

Rams player to watch: Junior running back DJ Johnson, who has 569 yards and six touchdowns through four games.

senior quarterback Michael Valentino completed seven of 13 passes for 91 yards. Valentino did not play in the second half because of an injury; his replacement, junior Devin Mign-

“Our guys are hard-nosed and blue-collar. You can’t buy success and toughness. You’ve got to work for that.”

— John Smithers, Riverview High football coach

ery, completed nine of 22 passes for 117 yards.  Mooney entered the contest averaging 44 points per game in their first three games. The Cougars’ offense did get close to scoring once, while tied 7-7 in the third quarter, and the ensuing sequence changed the game. A touchdown run by senior Carson Beach was called back on a holding penalty. After failing to score again, the Cougars would have to settle for a 32-yard field goal — but a false start penalty actually made the kick 37 yards. The five-yard difference mattered: The kick hit the crossbar and bounced back into play, no good.

On the next snap, Riverview junior

DJ Johnson took a carry 80 yards for a touchdown.

Johnson’s run opened up things for the Rams’ offense, which would add three more scoring drives in the fourth quarter. On that side of the ball, it was all rushing: Johnson finished with 214 yards and two touchdowns, while sophomore Isaiah Belt had 111 yards and two touchdowns. They ran behind linemen like senior Julius Edwards, junior CJ McCutcheon, senior Weston Gruttadauria, junior Aljonon Oliver and senior Malik Byrd, plus senior tight end Christian Leetzow, who provided plenty of room to maneuver.

Senior quarterback Braxton Thomas also added a rushing touchdown. Thomas did not have his best night throwing the ball — he completed three of eight passes for 39 yards — but he also was not asked to do much. Like the offense/defense divide, Smithers said, the offense itself will need different players to step up each week. The Mooney game was not Thomas’ time to have a big game, but eventually, the team will need him, and Smithers is confident he’ll respond.

“He’s done some great things for us,” Smithers said of Thomas, who transferred to Riverview from Desert Vista High in Phoenix this offseason. “He’s kept drives alive with his arm and his legs. There are a lot of little things he does that are good. (The Mooney game) was just the offensive line and the running game’s time to shine, so that’s what we leaned on and it worked.”

The work is not done. The Rams next have a bye week before playing rival Venice High (1-2) at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 29 on the road. Smithers made sure to emphasize that point to his team following the Mooney game: it is a bye week, not an off week. Riverview may not have a game in week five, but the program can still use the practice time.

“I don’t want them to not practice hard or for things to be silly,” Smithers said. “We have a chance to get better. I think it is important to phrase it that way so that is how they are thinking.”

Courtesy photo

Former Riverview High swimmer and

and

“Try to play a little carefree. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself. That’s a big thing. You have to learn to control the pressure you feel.”

— Nicolas Bencomo, Cardinal Mooney boys junior golfer. SEE PAGE 14B

A week after winning a 52-42 shootout with Palmetto High, Riverview High shut down Cardinal Mooney High 35-7.

Photos by Ryan Kohn

Riverview’s DJ Johnson cuts upfield against Cardinal Mooney.

Cardinal Mooney junior Chris McCorkle (8) sprints downfield against Riverview.

What I’ve learned

After

As of this week — Sept. 22, to be precise — I’ll have been covering the Sarasota sports scene for seven years.

I’m sure that sounds like the blink of an eye for some of you who have been at your jobs for 15 or 20 years. But it has been a little less than a quarter of my life. Sometimes it’s hard to remember what I was doing, or who I was, before coming aboard the Observer. The answer to both: I was a college kid at the University of Missouri who thought he knew everything. Now, I realize I knew next to nothing about how the real world worked. I still don’t know much. One thing I do know, though? The Sarasota sports scene.

Over these seven years, six-anda-half of them have involved our Athlete of the Week feature, which we introduced in January 2017.

Since that launch, I’ve talked with more than 300 athletes for the feature, asking them questions about their specific sport and season, but also questions about their likes and dislikes, their habits and their goals. Over the years, patterns have emerged — as well as some humorous anecdotes. So as a type of lookback over my time at the Observer, I’ll highlight some of the most interesting answers and advice these young stars have given.

In 2022, then-Riverview High boys soccer senior Luke Spycher shared some advice his coach, Ed Stroop, had given him. Stroop told

Spycher he needed to become a goldfish.

At first, Spycher was, understandably, confused. But he let his coach explain.

“Goldfish don’t have long memories,” Spycher said. “I needed to stop thinking so much and just play the game. Playing on instinct helps me a lot.”

It worked out: Spycher and the Rams went 12-2-4 during the 202122 season and reached the FHSAA

Class 7A regional semifinals.

Back in 2018, I talked with Sarasota’s Isaac Weintraub, then a taekwondo athlete at the University of Central Oklahoma. Weintraub had just won gold in the Men’s Flyweight at the National Collegiate Taekwondo Championships and was preparing for the USA Taekwondo National Championships.

He was a legit athlete, and he told interesting anecdotes about why the U.S. struggled on international stages in the sport.

But I’m not going to share any of that here; you can read the whole thing if you want. Instead, I’m going to share his biggest fear: geese.

“They scare me,” Weintraub said, not laughing.

“They are all over my campus and they attack people at random times. I just hate them. I’ll cross the street to avoid geese.”

As a fellow bird-hater, I’ve rarely felt more connected to an interviewee.

Sometimes when talking to an athlete for the first time, it’s easy to see the “it factor.” It was that way with former Riverview High softball player Devyn Flaherty. Flaherty is now a senior captain on the Florida State University softball team. The infielder made the All-Atlantic Coast Conference First or Second Team three times and has helped the Seminoles become Women’s College World Series runner-ups in 2021 and 2023. But back in 2019, she was still a senior with the Rams.  Even then, being a good teammate was all she wanted to talk about. When asked about her best skill, Flaherty didn’t mention her lightning-quick bat speed or her flashy glove.

“I am a leader,” Flaherty said. “I can be vocal or lead through actions. I am looked up to on the team, so I have to set the example.

“People tend to follow in my footsteps.”

Flaherty earned that position in the program, having torn her ACL as a freshman and come back to be one of the best players in the state. She didn’t become a leader by choice; she was born to do it.

soccer player Lauren Golon after a 5-0 win over rival Saint Stephen’s Episcopal. Golon, a team captain, had scored on a penalty kick during the game and was riding high. Watching her, you would think she was always an outgoing star. But as she shared, that wasn’t true. When asked what the biggest challenge of her career had been, Golon said it was gaining confidence.

“I’m a sensitive person,” Golon said. “I get down easily, and that’s something that I need to work on because when you are playing you cannot get down on yourself, it will affect your game. I need to work on having a more positive attitude for myself. High school soccer helps me with having a positive attitude. Club is more competitive so high school is more for fun. I always have a good time, and it is not as stressful.”

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It was an honest answer I appreciated, and it serves as a reminder that even team captains, ostensibly some of the best players on a squad, can go through periods where they struggle with mental or physical challenges. There’s no shame in it — and there’s always a way back.

year or so, include the following: People like to watch Netflix’s “Outer Banks” and “Stranger Things” a lot; everyone wants to be able to fly; the beaches are the hot spot to be when not practicing, even though some athletes consider it a “basic” answer; and not much beats a good steak — though opinions vary on how it should be cooked. (The correct answer is either medium-rare or medium, of course.)

More than anything else, what I’ve learned from going back over these interviews is that simple advice is often the best advice. I lost count of how many athletes gave a variation of “trust the process” or “hard work brings success” when sharing their best advice. As a journalist, I’m trained to despise cliches, but that does not mean the advice packed inside the cliche is bad. In fact, for athletes here, it seems to work wonders.

The vast majority of the kids I interview for this feature don’t go on to make it in the pros, or even the top college levels, of their respective sports. Some do. But most are not gifted with immense natural talent. They have a few successful high school seasons of glory that culminate in a superstar performance or two. But that’s all it takes. The memory of those performances, and how they felt afterward, will stick with them forever. They worked hard — they trusted the process — and it got them where they wanted to be, if only for a fleeting amount of time. They accomplished a goal.

To me, that’s inspiring. To me, that’s what sports are all about. It’s why I love covering them: Everyone has a story.

I’m glad I’m here to tell Sarasota athletes’ stories to you.

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PROSE AND KOHN RYAN KOHN

interviews with 300 Sarasota athletes of the week, some important advice stands out, like ‘be a goldfish’ and watch out for geese.

Ryan Kohn is the sports editor for the Sarasota/Siesta Key Observer. Contact him at RKohn@ YourObserver.com.

Courtesy photo

Former Riverview Rams softball player Devyn Flaherty is a star shortstop at FSU.

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ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Nicolas Bencomo

Nicolas Bencomo is a junior on the Cardinal Mooney High boys golf team. Bencomo finished tied for second (70) at the 2023 Crutchfield/ Hawkins Invitational, held at Sun ‘N Lake Golf Club in Sebring.

When did you start playing golf?

I started playing when I was 4 years old. I was born in Valencia, Venezuela. My dad got me into the game, and I fell in love with it. I chose it over every other sport. (Bencomo moved to Sarasota eight years ago.)

What is the appeal of golf to you?

I love how competitive it is. It’s an individual sport normally, but it’s fun to play at the high school level because you get that team aspect. That’s what I love, though: During your round, everything is on you.

What was your transition to the United States like?

It was awesome. I love it here. Especially the golf. It’s so big here. It’s great for developing my game.

What is your best skill?

My irons. It has been a weapon for me all these years. I keep working on it every day.

What have you been working to improve?

My short game. That’s something that can always be better. I don’t think I’d call it a weakness, but I’m always trying to improve. It has gotten a lot better in the last few years. I’m proud of the work I’ve done.

What is your favorite memory?

Well, I won the Ping An Bank Junior All-Star Invitational in November (218). I also qualified for the USGA U.S. Amateur Four-Ball this past week. It’s one of those.

What are your goals for this high school season? We just want to win states. That’s

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the biggest goal. We have the squad to do it. We’re a close-knit group of friends and I think that will help us.

What is your favorite food?

Sushi. I’ll eat it from anywhere.

What is your favorite movie?

I have to go with “The Godfather.”

What is your favorite school subject?

Math has always been a favorite. I like numbers. I’m also in AP environmental science this year, and that has been fun.

What are your hobbies?

I like fishing. The team has also been playing a lot of pickleball lately.

What is the best advice you have received?

Try to play a little carefree. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself. That’s a big thing. You have to learn to control the pressure you feel.

Finish this sentence: Nicolas Bencomo is … Humble. I try to stay as humble

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